Collinear Interconnect Inductor Layout for Component Miniaturization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inductor members require space for arranging interconnects inside a magnetic layer, and with the miniaturization of electronic devices, there is a need to miniaturize these components.

Innovation Solution

The inductor member design includes a magnetic layer with interconnects extending in a first direction, where at least two interconnects are collinear and connected to terminal pairs, allowing for compact arrangement and miniaturization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple interconnects are arranged inside the magnetic layer, then the inductor functionality is improved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinductor functionalityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple interconnects are arranged collinearly along the same straight line within the magnetic layer, merging their spatial paths. This allows multiple inductor windings to share the same linear space rather than requiring separate winding areas, thereby improving inductor functionality while minimizing device size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The interconnects are arranged in a collinear configuration along the first direction (Y-direction) rather than traditional planar winding patterns. This one-dimensional linear arrangement optimizes space utilization within the magnetic layer, enabling compact device size while maintaining multiple interconnect functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If interconnects are arranged in traditional configurations, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but device miniaturization is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemanufacturabilityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic layer is segmented into multiple regions along the first direction, with interconnects distributed at different positions along the collinear arrangement. This segmentation allows each interconnect to be manufactured independently using standard processes while achieving compact overall device size through the linear configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4685824A1Inductor member
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 NITTO DENKO CORP
  • EP4685824A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4685824A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4685824A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An inductor member includes a magnetic layer, a plurality of interconnects disposed inside the magnetic layer and extending in a first direction, and a plurality of terminal pairs each including a first terminal part and a second terminal part, wherein at least two interconnects of the plurality of interconnects are collinear along the first direction, and each of the at least two interconnects is connected to a corresponding pair of the plurality of terminal pairs.