Composite Ferrite Dust Core Barrier Phase

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dust cores with insulating layers of spinel-type ferrites suffer from deteriorated magnetic properties and high-frequency losses due to nonmagnetic materials, and existing solutions do not effectively maintain high specific resistance during heat treatment or long-term use.

Innovation Solution

A dust core with a grain boundary layer comprising a spinel-type ferrite main phase and a barrier phase of Cu, Sn, or Co, which stabilizes specific resistance by blocking Fe diffusion and reducing eddy-current and hysteresis losses, even under high-temperature conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a spinel-type ferrite insulating layer is used to reduce eddy-current loss, then high-frequency loss is reduced, but magnetic properties (saturation magnetic flux density and permeability) deteriorate due to nonmagnetic materials in the insulating layer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeddy-current lossVSAvoidmagnetic properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating layer is constructed as a composite material combining spinel-type ferrite (for insulation and high-frequency loss reduction) with magnetic particles (for maintaining magnetic properties). This composite structure allows the layer to simultaneously provide electrical insulation and magnetic functionality, resolving the contradiction between reducing eddy-current loss and maintaining magnetic properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If conventional insulating layers are used, then eddy-current loss is reduced, but specific resistance decreases during heat treatment (annealing) due to Fe diffusion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeddy-current lossVSAvoidspecific resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A barrier layer comprising Cu, Sn, or Co is introduced as an intermediary between the soft magnetic particles and the spinel-type ferrite insulating layer. This barrier layer prevents Fe diffusion from the soft magnetic particles into the ferrite during heat treatment, thereby maintaining high specific resistance while preserving the eddy-current loss reduction benefits of the ferrite layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating layer is constructed as a composite material combining spinel-type ferrite (for insulation and high-frequency loss reduction) with magnetic particles (for maintaining magnetic properties). This composite structure allows the layer to simultaneously provide electrical insulation and magnetic functionality, resolving the contradiction between reducing eddy-current loss and maintaining magnetic properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Loss of energy

If nonmagnetic insulating materials (silicon particles, resin) are used, then eddy-current loss is reduced, but magnetic properties deteriorate depending on the insulating layer material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeddy-current lossVSAvoidmagnetic properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating layer is constructed as a composite material combining spinel-type ferrite (for insulation and high-frequency loss reduction) with magnetic particles (for maintaining magnetic properties). This composite structure allows the layer to simultaneously provide electrical insulation and magnetic functionality, resolving the contradiction between reducing eddy-current loss and maintaining magnetic properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The proposed dust core maintains high specific resistance and reduced losses by protecting the insulating main phase with a barrier phase, ensuring stable performance in electromagnetic devices.

Implementation Method 1

Cu or the like that constitutes the barrier phase has a small solid solubility limit to Fe (i.e., the solid-solution range is narrow) and can block the Fe diffusion from the soft magnetic particles to the ferrite

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion barrier: Diffusion Barrier

Implementation Method 2

The main phase comprises a spinel-type ferrite (M x Fe 3-x O 4 , 0

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 3

by precipitating Cu and the like in an insulating layer comprising a ferrite

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentEP3511960B1Compressed powder magnetic core and magnetic core powder, and production method therefor
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 KK TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
  • EP3511960B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3511960B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3511960B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A low-loss dust core is provided with which both the high specific resistance and the low coercivity can be achieved. The dust core of the present invention comprises: soft magnetic particles comprising pure iron or an iron alloy; and a grain boundary layer present between adjacent soft magnetic particles. The grain boundary layer has a main phase and a barrier phase. The main phase comprises a spinel-type ferrite (MxFe3-xO4, 0<x≤1) of a metal element (M), Fe, and O. The metal element (M) serves as a divalent cation. The barrier phase comprises one or more of Cu, Sn, or Co. The dust core of the present invention can be obtained by using a powder for magnetic cores comprising soft magnetic particles coated with a film in which a first ferrite such as CuFe2O4 and a second ferrite such as MnFe2O4 coexist. The barrier phase blocks the Fe diffusion from the soft magnetic particles and suppresses the deterioration of the main phase comprising the second ferrite responsible for the insulating property.