Flexible Substrate Coil Manufacturing for High Current Density

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coil manufacturing methods are complex, leading to low inductance and limited current density, which increases costs and restricts the ability to generate precise three-dimensional magnetic fields with varied configurations.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a flexible, electrically insulating substrate rolled or folded with applied conductors, using a lithographic process for precise positioning and an intermediate thermal layer for heat dissipation, allowing for high current density and diverse magnetic field generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional winding methods are used to produce coils, then coils can be manufactured with defined winding patterns, but the manufacturing process becomes very complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinding pattern precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical winding processes with a printing-based manufacturing method. Conductive patterns are directly printed onto flexible substrates to form coil structures, eliminating the need for complex mechanical winding equipment and manual winding operations while maintaining precise geometric control of the coil windings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the manufacturing approach from mechanical winding to additive printing processes. By using printing technology, the coil structures are formed by depositing conductive material in predetermined patterns, fundamentally altering the manufacturing parameters from mechanical motion control to material deposition control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional coil winding is used, then coils can be produced, but ohmic losses increase and current density is limited due to heat dissipation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoil performanceVSAvoidohmic losses
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible thin film substrates as the base for coil structures. These thin film structures provide excellent thermal conductivity and heat dissipation capabilities, allowing higher current densities to be sustained without excessive temperature rise, thereby reducing the impact of ohmic losses and enabling improved coil performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite structures combining flexible substrates with conductive materials. The substrate material is specifically chosen for its thermal properties, creating a composite system that efficiently manages heat generated by ohmic losses, enabling higher current density operation while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Quantity of substance

If film or tape coils are wound in one layer to achieve high conductor fill factor, then conductor density increases, but inductance remains low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductor fill factorVSAvoidinductance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from single-layer planar coil structures to multi-layer three-dimensional coil configurations. By stacking multiple conductive layers on flexible substrates and connecting them through via holes, the invention achieves both high conductor fill factor within each layer and increased overall inductance through the three-dimensional winding patterns, effectively utilizing vertical space to enhance magnetic field generation

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

4Manufacturing precision

If multi-layer multipole coils are required for precise three-dimensional magnetic field generation, then field configuration precision improves, but manufacturing complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field configuration precisionVSAvoidcoil structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides complex multi-layer multipole coil structures into modular segments on flexible substrates. Each substrate layer contains specific coil patterns that can be independently designed and manufactured, then assembled into the complete multi-layer structure. This segmentation approach enables precise control of magnetic field configurations while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through standardized modular units

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes multi-layer three-dimensional arrangements of conductive patterns on flexible substrates to generate precise three-dimensional magnetic fields. By controlling the spatial arrangement, layer spacing, and winding patterns across multiple layers, the system achieves complex multipole field configurations that would be difficult to realize with conventional single-layer structures

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

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 method enables the production of coils with high current density and precise magnetic field control, reducing complexity and cost while enabling a wide range of magnetic field configurations.

Implementation Method 1

an intermediate layer, in particular a thermal conductor, e.g. B. a thermally conductive adhesive, is arranged to absorb and dissipate thermal energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy absorption and dissipation: Heat Sink

Implementation Method 2

when an electric current is applied to the current conductors, a magnetic field with a precisely defined, predetermined field structure can be generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2056309B1Method for manufacturing a spool and a spool
Publication Date: 2010.05.05 STZ MECHATRONIK
  • EP2056309B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2056309B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP2056309B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The method involves rolling and folding of multiple bearings with longitudinally corresponding sections (2.1 to 2.4) of conductors (2). The conductors are attached, inserted, rolled and folded in a flexible, electrically insulated substrate (3) such that the flat coil or multiple flat coils are produced on the bearing of the substrate. An independent claim is included for a coil manufactured by a method.