Ferrite Filtering Element for Flexible Conductor Foils

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in flexible conductor foils, such as FPCs and FFCs, are costly due to the need for individual electromagnetic filtering of each conductor, which is impractical for large dimensions and increases manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical integration of a filtering element, preferably made of ferrite, within the electrical device's housing, allowing the flexible conductor foil to pass through and be electromagnetically filtered, reducing the need for individual filtering of each conductor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individual electromagnetic filtering is applied to each conductor in the flexible conductor foil, then electromagnetic compatibility is improved, but manufacturing costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic compatibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual filtering functions into a single common filtering element that handles all conductors simultaneously. The filtering element is designed with a structure that allows it to filter electromagnetic interference across multiple electrical conductors in parallel, eliminating the need for separate filtering components for each conductor and thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining EMC performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filtering element is designed as a universal component that can filter electromagnetic interference across all conductors in the flexible conductor foil. This multi-functional approach allows a single element to perform the filtering task that would otherwise require multiple individual elements, reducing both component count and manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If individual electromagnetic filtering is applied to each conductor, then electromagnetic compatibility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic compatibilityVSAvoidfiltering structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple filtering functions into a single integrated filtering element. This element has a structure that accommodates multiple conductors and provides filtering across all of them simultaneously, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining comprehensive electromagnetic compatibility protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If a filtering element is mechanically integrated into the electrical device, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the filtering effectiveness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidfiltering effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filtering element is designed with a segmented or modular structure that allows it to be mechanically integrated into the electrical device housing while maintaining its filtering effectiveness. The element can be divided into sections that correspond to different conductors or frequency ranges, allowing for effective filtering across all conductors while enabling simplified integration and assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 approach effectively filters electromagnetic interferences in flexible conductor foils while significantly reducing manufacturing costs by integrating the filtering element within the device's housing, ensuring high EMC performance.

Implementation Method 1

a filtering element (3), wherein the filtering element (3) is mechanically integrated in the electrical device and the flexible conductor foil is at least partially led through the filtering element (3), thereby electromagnetically filtering the plurality of electrical conductors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic filtering: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the filtering element is made out of ferrite

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFerrite absorption: Ferromagnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2028723B1Electrical device and manufacturing method thereof
Publication Date: 2016.08.17 HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYST GMBH
  • EP2028723B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2028723B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrical device comprising a first electrical module, a second electrical module, a flexible conductor foil including a plurality of electrical conductors electrically connecting the first and second electrical module with each other, and a filtering element (3). In order to achieve improved electromagnetic filtering, while guaranteeing reasonable manufacturing costs, the filtering element (3) is mechanically integrated in the electrical device and the flexible conductor foil is at least partially led through the filtering element (3), thereby electromagnetically filtering the plurality of electrical conductors.