Coupled Inductor With Perpendicular Windings For Compact Core Utilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional coupled inductors are inefficient in utilizing core material volume, leading to larger sizes due to suboptimal winding arrangements.

Innovation Solution

The coupled inductor design features windings with larger side faces arranged perpendicular to the core's lower side, utilizing the core's volume more effectively, and a split core with precisely controlled parts for compact assembly, including grooves for winding placement and electrical isolation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional winding arrangements are used, then the inductor can be manufactured with standard techniques, but the core material volume is not efficiently utilized leading to larger device size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidwinding arrangement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The core is divided into two separate parts (first core part and second core part) that can be manufactured independently and then assembled together. This segmentation allows for precise control of the core geometry and winding placement, enabling efficient core material utilization while maintaining manufacturability through standard assembly techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The windings are arranged in an intermediate section that extends through a through-hole in the core, with larger side faces oriented perpendicular to the core's lower side. This three-dimensional winding configuration optimizes the utilization of core material volume by utilizing the vertical dimension and lateral space more effectively than conventional planar arrangements.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If the core is split into multiple parts for easier manufacturing, then assembly becomes more complex, but manufacturing ease is improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecore manufacturing easeVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The core is divided into two parts that can be manufactured using standard techniques with precise dimensional control. The segmentation enables independent optimization of each core part and simplifies the winding assembly process, as windings can be positioned in the intermediate section before final assembly. The parts are connected through a parting plane with precise spacing control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A distance element is introduced between the first core part and second core part to precisely control the spacing at the parting plane. This intermediary component ensures accurate alignment and spacing during assembly, reducing assembly complexity by providing a built-in positioning mechanism rather than requiring complex adjustment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If winding size is increased to improve magnetic properties, then the inductor occupies more space, but electric and magnetic properties are improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic property efficiencyVSAvoidinductor volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The windings are configured as flat stripes with larger side faces oriented perpendicular to the core's lower side, utilizing the vertical dimension and lateral space more effectively. This three-dimensional arrangement increases the effective winding area and magnetic coupling without proportionally increasing the overall inductor volume, achieving better magnetic properties in a compact form factor.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate section of the windings is positioned to extend through a through-hole in the core before final assembly. This preliminary placement ensures optimal positioning and maximizes the utilization of core material volume, allowing the windings to be tightly coupled with the core material and achieve high magnetic efficiency in a compact configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This design reduces the size of the coupled inductor to less than half that of conventional models while maintaining improved electric and magnetic properties.

Implementation Method 1

a coupled inductor having a core and two windings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3510608B1Coupled inductor
Publication Date: 2023.02.15 WURTH ELEKTRONIK EISOS
  • EP3510608B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3510608B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention refers to a coupled inductor having a core and two windings, wherein the first winding has a first and a second terminal end and wherein the second winding has a third and a fourth terminal end, wherein the first to fourth terminal ends are arranged on a lower side of the core, wherein each winding has an intermediate section extending through a through-hole in the core, wherein the two windings are designed at least in the intermediate section as flat stripes each having first and second side faces with a large width and third and fourth side faces having a small width compared to the width of the first and second side faces, wherein the first side faces of both windings are arranged in the intermediate section perpendicular to the lower side of the core and wherein the two first side faces of the windings in the intermediate section face each other and/or abut each other in the intermediate section.