Inductive part, and arrangement having an inductive part

Abstract

The invention relates to an inductive part, produced by means of thin layer technology, having a substrate, a magnetically conductive core and at least two magnetic components, wherein: each magnetic component has at least one winding; each winding has at least one first section on an upper face of the core and at least one second section on a lower face of the core; the core has at least one through-opening and both windings extend through the through-opening; in the region of the through-opening, the two windings run parallel to one another; or the core has at least two through-openings and the first winding extends through the first through-opening and the second winding extends through the second through-opening, and the first winding, in the region of the first through-opening, and the second winding, in the region of the second through-opening, are arranged parallel to one another.

Description

[0001] Inductive component and arrangement with an inductive component

[0002] The invention relates to an inductive component manufactured using thin-film technology, comprising a substrate and a magnetically conductive core. The invention also relates to an arrangement comprising an inductive component and a circuit arrangement.

[0003] The invention aims to improve an inductive component manufactured using thin-film technology, as well as an arrangement with an inductive component according to the invention.

[0004] According to the invention, an inductive component with the features of claim 1 and an arrangement with an inductive component with the features of claim 14 are provided for this purpose. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims.An inductive component, manufactured using thin-film technology, comprises a substrate, a magnetically conductive core, and at least two magnetic components, each magnetic component having at least one winding, each winding having at least one first section on a top side of the core and at least one second section on a bottom side of the core, the core having at least one through-hole and both windings extending through the through-hole, the two windings running parallel to each other in the region of the through-hole, or the core having at least two through-holes and the first winding extending through the first through-hole and the second winding extending through the second through-hole, the first winding being arranged parallel to each other in the region of the first through-hole and the second winding being arranged parallel to each other in the region of the second through-hole.

[0005] The invention provides an inductive component with at least two magnetic components manufactured using thin-film technology, wherein, in contrast to conventional inductive components, the coupling between the two magnetic components is significantly reduced. The two magnetic components can therefore be used or connected separately. Furthermore, the component according to the invention can achieve a significantly higher saturation current than is the case with conventional inductive components.A magnetic field is generated in the magnetic core by having both windings extend through the through-hole, with the two windings running parallel to each other in the region of the through-hole, or by having the core have at least two through-holes and the first winding extending through the first through-hole and the second winding through the second through-hole, with the first winding in the region of the first through-hole and the second winding in the region of the second through-hole being arranged parallel to each other.If the currents in the region of the through-hole or through-holes in the two windings flow in opposite directions, the magnetic flux generated by the section of the first winding located in the through-hole and the magnetic flux generated by the section of the second winding located in the through-hole cancel each other out completely or at least partially. This results in a lower flux density in the magnetic core, a significantly reduced coupling between the two magnetic components, and a significantly higher saturation current—that is, the current through the windings at which the magnetic core is saturated. Furthermore, the at least two magnetic components require considerably less space because they are built on the same magnetically conductive core and the same substrate.The inventors were able to determine that in the inductive component according to the invention, the coupling between the two magnetic components can be reduced by about 50% and the saturation current is 15 to 16 times higher than in conventional inductive components.

[0006] In a further development of the invention, a first magnetic component is designed as a first transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding, and the second magnetic component is designed as a second transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding.

[0007] In this way, two transformers can be built on one and the same substrate and one and the same magnetic core. Due to the inductive component's design according to the invention, the coupling between the two transformers is so low that they can be used independently. For example, the transformer windings are arranged such that all four windings extend through the same opening(s), or that at least the two primary windings extend through the same opening(s), and the two secondary windings also extend through the same opening(s).

[0008] In a further development of the invention, the primary winding and the secondary winding of the first transformer run parallel to each other.

[0009] In this way, only a small amount of space is required for the primary and secondary windings of the first transformer. For example, the primary and secondary windings of the first transformer run parallel to each other for at least 25% of their length, in particular for at least 75% of their length, and in particular for their entire length.

[0010] In a further development of the invention, the primary winding and the secondary winding of the second transformer run parallel to each other.

[0011] In this way, very little space is required for the arrangement of the second transformer. For example, the primary winding and the secondary winding of the second transformer run parallel to each other for at least 25% of their length, in particular for at least 75% of their length, and in particular for their entire length.

[0012] In a further development of the invention, in the area of ​​the at least one through-opening, the primary winding of the first transformer, the secondary winding of the second transformer, the primary winding of the first transformer and the secondary winding of the second transformer run parallel to each other.

[0013] In other words, all windings run parallel to each other through at least one through-hole, and in particular through all through-holes. By suitable wiring, it can be achieved that the current flows in one direction in two windings and in the opposite direction in two other windings. In this way, the coupling between the two transformers can be significantly reduced and the saturation current is substantially increased.

[0014] In a further development of the invention, if a first section of the winding of the first magnetic component is arranged on the top side of the core, the first section of the winding of the second magnetic component is arranged on the bottom side of the core.

[0015] In this way, both the top and bottom of the core can be used for an extremely space-saving arrangement of the windings. Furthermore, the windings can be guided through the same through-holes, and the current direction in the windings within the through-holes can be reversed in a simple and logical manner. In a further development of the invention, the first section of the winding of the second magnetic component is arranged on the underside of the core opposite the first section of the winding of the first magnetic component. Similarly, the second, third, and / or nth sections of the respective windings can be arranged on different sides of the core. The individual sections are separated from one another, for example, by through-holes arranged between them, through which the windings are then guided.By using opposite current directions in the windings near the through-holes, the generated magnetic fields can be at least partially canceled out. As already explained, this allows for very low to negligible coupling between the magnetic components and a very high saturation current.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, each section of the winding of the second magnetic component running parallel to the top and bottom of the core on the underside is arranged opposite a section of the winding of the first magnetic component on the top of the core.

[0017] In a further development of the invention, the windings are electrically insulated from the core and led through the through-hole.

[0018] Such a construction method can be implemented using thin-film technology in the area of ​​through-holes or vias.

[0019] In a further development of the invention, an electrically insulating material is arranged in the area of ​​the through-opening between the windings and the core.

[0020] In a further development of the invention, the windings in thin-film technology have conductor tracks applied to the substrate and / or the core and vias through the core in the area of ​​the through-hole of the core.

[0021] In a further development of the invention, the windings from the top of the core to the bottom of the core and vice versa are guided exclusively through the at least one through-hole in the core. In a further development of the invention, the windings from the top of the core to the bottom of the core are not guided exclusively through the at least one through-hole in the core. In this way, other constraints, such as a small footprint or the need for re-contacting the core and / or the substrate, can also be met.

[0022] The problem underlying the invention is also solved by an arrangement with an inductive component according to the invention and a circuit arrangement which is electrically connected to the at least one winding of the first magnetic component and the at least one winding of the second magnetic component, wherein the circuit arrangement is designed such that, during operation of the inductive component, within the through-opening through which both the winding of the first magnetic component and the winding of the second magnetic component extend, a current flow in the winding of the first magnetic component is opposite to a current flow in the winding of the second magnetic component.

[0023] The circuit arrangement can, for example, also have two independently operating circuits. Since the coupling between the magnetic components of the inductive device according to the invention is very low, the magnetic components can be used independently of each other. The magnetic field in the area of ​​the via is at least partially canceled out by the opposite current direction, so that a very low to negligible coupling between the two magnetic components can be achieved, and at the same time the two magnetic components exhibit a significantly higher saturation current than in conventional inductive devices. In other words, the currents in the windings in the area of ​​the via are directed in opposite directions. Advantageously, the currents should be directed in opposite directions at all times and have the same frequency and the same phase.

[0024] In a further development of the invention, a first magnetic component is configured as a first transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding, and the second magnetic component is configured as a second transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding, wherein, in the region of at least one through-opening, the current flow in the primary winding of the first transformer is opposite to the current flow in the primary winding of the second transformer. In a further development of the invention, in the region of the at least one through-opening, the current flow in the secondary winding of the first transformer is opposite to the current flow in the secondary winding of the second transformer. Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the drawings. The drawings show:

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a schematic, cutaway view of the inductive component according to the invention.

[0026] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a first primary winding on the core from an oblique angle above,

[0027] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a second primary winding on the core from an oblique angle above,

[0028] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a first secondary winding on the core from an oblique angle above and

[0029] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a second secondary winding on the core from an oblique angle above.

[0030] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the inductive component 10 according to the invention. The inductive component 10 has a substrate 12, for example a silicon substrate, on which the other components of the inductive component are built up using thin-film technology.

[0031] In the schematic representation shown in Fig. 1, the dimensions of the substrate 12 and the other components of the inductive component 10 are purely schematic, as Fig. 1 serves only to illustrate the basic structure of the inductive component 10. In particular, intermediate layers and insulating layers of the inductive component 10 are not shown for the sake of clarity, and the distances between the individual components are also chosen to provide a clear representation.

[0032] Above the substrate 12, a magnetically conductive core 14 is arranged in Fig. 1, which is provided with several through-openings 16, also referred to as vias. Three through-openings 16 are shown in Fig. 1 by way of example only.

[0033] Two further magnetic components are formed on the substrate 12 and the core 14, namely a first transformer 18 with the primary winding WP1 and the secondary winding WS1, and a second transformer 20 with the primary winding WP2 and the secondary winding WS2.

[0034] The windings WP1, WS1, WP2, WS2 are shown schematically above the substrate 12 in Fig. 1. All windings WP1, WS1, WP2, WS2, as well as the core 14, are built up exclusively on one top side of the substrate 12 using thin-film technology.

[0035] As can be seen from the illustration in Fig. 1, the two windings WP1, WS1 of the first transformer 18 are parallel to each other over their entire length. The windings WP2, WS2 of the second transformer 20 are also parallel to each other over their entire length. This makes it possible to arrange the two transformers 18, 20 on the substrate, or above and below the core 14, with a very small footprint. According to the invention, the windings WP1 and WS1 can also be parallel to each other for at least 25% of their length, and the windings WP2 and WS2 can also be parallel to each other for at least 25% of their length.

[0036] Fig. 1 further shows that in the area of ​​each of the three illustrated through-openings 16, all windings WP1, WS1, WP2, WS2 are arranged parallel to each other. A current flow in the windings WP1, WS1, WP2, WS2 generates a magnetic field surrounding the windings WP1, WS1, WP2, WS2, whereby the magnetic field within the through-openings 16 is canceled out.

[0037] A circuit, not shown in Fig. 1, ensures that within the through-openings 16, the current in winding WP1 of the first transformer 18 and winding WP2 of the second transformer 20 flows in opposite directions. This is schematically indicated in Fig. 1 by a current arrow 11, where 11 symbolizes the current flowing through winding WP1. A current I2 flows in winding WP2 of the second transformer 20. By following the arrows 11 and I2, it can be seen from the through-opening 16 located on the far right in Fig. 1 that the current direction in winding WP1 is opposite to the current in winding WP2 in the region of the through-opening 16 located on the far right. In the illustrated embodiment, the currents 11 and I2 also have the same frequency and the same phase.This ensures that the magnetic fields generated by the sections of windings WP1 and WP2 in the region of the through-opening 16 at least partially cancel each other out or even completely cancel each other out when the magnitudes of currents 11 and I2 are equal. Similarly, the currents in windings WS1 and WS2 in the region of the through-openings 16 are directed in opposite directions. The magnetic fields generated by the sections of windings WS1 and WS2 in the region of the through-openings also partially or completely cancel each other out. This significantly reduces coupling between the two transformers 18 and 20, allowing them to be used independently. The saturation current of both transformers 18 and 20 is also significantly increased. Within the scope of the invention, the currents 11 and I2 can also have different frequencies and different phase angles.The amplitudes of currents 11 and I2 can also differ within the scope of the invention.

[0038] Figure 1 further shows that when a first section of the windings WP1, WS1 of the first transformer 18 is arranged on the top side of the core 14, a first section of the windings WP2, WS2 is arranged on the bottom side of the core 14. In Figure 1, the individual sections are labelled A1, A2, A3 and A4.

[0039] Such an arrangement of the windings WP1, WS1 of the first transformer 18 and the windings WP2, WS2 of the second transformer 20 results in reduced coupling between the two transformers 18, 20 as well as an extremely space-saving arrangement.

[0040] Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d show different views of only the primary winding WP1 of the first transformer 18 on the core 14.

[0041] Fig. 2a schematically shows, in a top-down oblique view, the core 14 and the primary winding WP1 of the first transformer 18, which is arranged section by section on the top and bottom surfaces of the core 14. It can be seen that the winding WP1 runs spirally on the disk-shaped core 14 and that circular segments of the spiral winding WP1 run on the top and bottom surfaces of the core 14.

[0042] Substrate 12 is not shown in Figures 2 to 6.

[0043] Fig. 2a shows the top side of the core 14. The winding WP1 appears to be interrupted in Fig. 2a, but it continues between the individual circular segments visible in Fig. 2a. At the beginning and end of each circular segment, the conductor traces of the winding WP1 are guided through a via 16 in the core 14 and then run in the segment not shown in Fig. 2a on the underside of the core 14. To illustrate this, Fig. 2b shows a top view of the core 14 with only the winding WP1, and Fig. 2c shows a bottom view of the core 14 with only the winding WP1. Fig. 2d shows a side view of the core 14 with only the winding WP1. The vias 16 in the core 14 are, as explained, located at the edges of a respective circular segment, with only one of the vias 16 being provided with a reference numeral in Fig. 2a.

[0044] Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d show different views of only the primary winding WP2 of the second transformer 20 on the core 14.

[0045] Fig. 3a shows the primary winding WP2 of the second transformer 20 in a schematic, oblique view from above on the core 14. Figs. 2a and 3a show the view of the top side of the core 14. A comparison of Figs. 2a and 3a reveals that whenever the conductor tracks of the primary winding WP1 of the first transformer 18 are located on the top side of the core 14, the primary winding WP2 of the second transformer 20 is located on the underside of the core 14. To illustrate this, Fig. 3b shows a top view of the core 14 with only the primary winding WP2, and Fig. 3c shows a bottom view of the core with only the primary winding WP2. Fig. 3d shows a side view of the core 14 with only the primary winding WP2.

[0046] Figures 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d show different views of only the secondary winding WS1 on the core 14.

[0047] Fig. 4a shows a schematic representation of the secondary winding WS1 of the first transformer 18 on the core 14 from a top-down oblique angle. A comparison of Figs. 2a and 4a shows that the primary winding WP1 and the secondary winding WS1 of the first transformer 18 are parallel to each other along their entire length. This is evident from the fact that the secondary winding WS1 is arranged in the same circular segments as the primary winding WP1 on the top side of the core. Fig. 4b shows a top view of the core 14 with only the secondary winding WS1, and Fig. 4c shows a bottom view of the core 14 with only the secondary winding WS1. Fig. 4d shows a side view of the core 14 with only the secondary winding WS1.

[0048] Figures 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d show different views of the core 14 with only the secondary winding WS2.

[0049] Fig. 5a shows a schematic view of the secondary winding WS2 of the second transformer 20 from a slightly oblique angle above the core 14. Fig. 5b shows a top view of the core 14 with only the secondary winding WS2, and Fig. 5c shows a bottom view of the core 14 with the secondary winding WS2. Fig. 5d shows a side view of the core 14 with only the winding WS2.

[0050] A comparison of Figs. 4a and 5a shows that whenever the secondary winding WS1 of the first transformer 18 is located on the top side of the core 14, the secondary winding WS2 of the second transformer 20 is located on the bottom side of the core 14.

[0051] Furthermore, a comparison of Figs. 3a and 5a shows that the primary winding WP2 of the second transformer 20 and the secondary winding WS2 of the second transformer 20 are parallel to each other over their entire length.

[0052] A comparison of Figures 2a, 3a, 4a, and 5a shows that in the area of ​​the through-holes 16, all windings WP1, WS1, WP2, and WS2 extend through the same through-holes 16. Within the through-holes 16, or vias, the conductor tracks of windings WP1, WS1, WP2, and WS2 thus run parallel to each other.

[0053] Figures 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d show different views of the core 14 with the windings WP1 and WS1 of the first transformer 18 and the windings WP2 and WS2 of the second transformer 20. Fig. 6a shows a view of the core 14 from a top oblique angle, Fig. 6b shows a view of the core 14 from above, Fig. 6c shows a view of the core 14 from below and Fig. 6d a side view of the core 14.

[0054] Figures 6a to 6c clearly show that, firstly, the windings of the first transformer 18, i.e., windings WP1 and WS1, are parallel to each other along their entire length, and secondly, the windings of the second transformer 20, i.e., windings WP2 and WS2, are also parallel to each other along their entire length. Furthermore, it can be seen that whenever the windings of the first transformer 18, i.e., windings WP1 and WS1, run on the top side of the core, the windings of the second transformer 20, i.e., windings WP2 and WS2, run on the bottom side. In the area of ​​the vias 16, however, all windings WP1, WS1, WP2, and WS2 run parallel to each other.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Inductive component manufactured using thin-film technology, comprising a substrate, a magnetically conductive core, and at least two magnetic components, wherein each magnetic component has at least one winding, wherein each winding has at least a first section on a top side of the core and at least a second section on a bottom side of the core, wherein the core has at least one through-hole and both windings extend through the through-hole, wherein in the region of the through-hole the two windings run parallel to each other, or wherein the core has at least two through-holes and the first winding extends through the first through-hole and the second winding extends through the second through-hole, and the first winding is arranged parallel to each other in the region of the first through-hole and the second winding is arranged parallel to each other in the region of the second through-hole.

2. Inductive component according to claim 1, characterized in that a first magnetic component is designed as a first transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding and the second magnetic component is designed as a second transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding.

3. Inductive component according to claim 2, characterized in that the primary winding and the secondary winding of the first transformer run parallel to each other over at least 25% of their length, in particular over at least 75% of their length, in particular over their entire length.

4. Inductive component according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the primary winding and the secondary winding of the second transformer run parallel to each other for at least 75% of their length.

5. Inductive component according to claim 4, characterized in that in the area of ​​the at least one through-opening the primary winding of the first transformer, the secondary winding of the second transformer, the primary winding of the first transformer and the secondary winding of the second transformer run parallel to each other.

6. Inductive component according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when a first section of the winding of the first The magnetic component is located on the top side of the core, while the first section of the winding of the second magnetic component is located on the bottom side of the core.

7. Inductive component according to claim 6, characterized in that the first section of the winding of the second magnetic component is arranged on the underside of the core opposite the first section of the winding of the first magnetic component.

8. Inductive component according to claim 7, characterized in that each section of the winding of the second magnetic component running parallel to the top and bottom of the core on the bottom is arranged opposite a section of the winding of the first magnetic component on the top of the core.

9. Inductive component according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the windings are electrically insulated from the core and led through the through-hole.

10. Inductive component according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electrically insulating material is arranged in the area of ​​the through-hole between the windings and the core.

11. Inductive component according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the windings have conductor tracks applied to the substrate and / or the core in thin-film technology and vias through the core in the area of ​​the through-hole of the core.

12. Inductive component according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the windings from the top of the core to the bottom of the core and vice versa are guided exclusively through the at least one through-hole in the core.

13. Inductive component according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the windings from the top of the core to the bottom of the core are not exclusively guided through the at least one through-hole in the core.

14. Arrangement comprising an inductive component according to at least one of the preceding claims and a circuit arrangement which is electrically connected to the at least one winding of the first magnetic component and the at least one winding of the second magnetic component, wherein the circuit arrangement is designed such that, during operation of the inductive component, within the through-opening through which both the winding of the first magnetic component and the winding of the second magnetic component extend, a current flow in the winding of the first magnetic component is opposite to a current flow in the winding of the second magnetic component.

15. Arrangement according to claim 14, wherein a first magnetic component is designed as a first transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding and the second magnetic component is designed as a second transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding, characterized in that in the area of ​​at least one through-opening a current flow in the primary winding of the first transformer is opposite to a current flow in the primary winding of the second transformer.

16. Arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that in the area of ​​at least one through-opening a current flow in the secondary winding of the first transformer is opposite to a current flow in the secondary winding of the second transformer.

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