Hybrid Planar Common-Mode Choke for EMI Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing three-phase active rectifiers generate high-frequency leakage currents and conducted electromagnetic interference (EMI), particularly common-mode (CM) noise, which is challenging to filter effectively in power conversion systems subject to shock and vibration, as prior art filters require stacked toroidal cores that increase complexity and stress in such environments.

Innovation Solution

A planar common-mode choke is implemented using hybrid toroidal cores, comprising ferrite and nanocrystalline cores connected in series on a printed circuit board, eliminating the need for stacked cores and allowing for a single device to filter both high-frequency and low-frequency CM EMI, reducing system complexity and stress from shock and vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If stacked toroidal cores are used to achieve desired CM inductance, then filtering effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and stress from shock and vibration increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCM EMI filtering effectivenessVSAvoidcore stacking complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement of toroidal cores to a planar configuration where cores are arranged horizontally on a printed circuit board. This dimensional change eliminates the need for stacking while maintaining the required CM inductance for effective EMI filtering, thereby reducing structural complexity and stress from shock and vibration.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple toroidal cores (ferrite and nanocrystalline) into a single planar assembly mounted on a printed circuit board. This merging of components into an integrated planar structure reduces the overall complexity compared to stacked configurations while preserving the filtering effectiveness across wide frequency bands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If stacked toroidal cores are used to achieve desired CM inductance, then filtering effectiveness is improved, but reliability under shock and vibration decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCM EMI filtering effectivenessVSAvoidreliability under shock and vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By arranging toroidal cores in a planar configuration on a printed circuit board rather than stacking them vertically, the patent creates a structure that is more resistant to shock and vibration stresses. The planar layout distributes mechanical stresses more evenly and eliminates the weak interfaces between stacked cores, thereby improving reliability in harsh environments while maintaining EMI filtering effectiveness.

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple toroidal cores are stacked to achieve desired CM inductance, then filtering effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCM EMI filtering effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a planar arrangement of toroidal cores on a printed circuit board, which simplifies manufacturing compared to vertical stacking. The planar configuration allows for standardized mounting procedures, easier assembly, and integration with existing PCB manufacturing processes, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving the desired CM inductance for effective EMI filtering.

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

4Object-affected harmful factors

If hybrid toroidal cores are used to filter both high-frequency and low-frequency CM EMI, then filtering effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewide frequency band filtering effectivenessVSAvoidhybrid core configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines ferrite and nanocrystalline toroidal cores into a single planar assembly, where each material targets specific frequency ranges. This merging of different magnetic materials in a unified planar structure enables wide frequency band filtering (both high-frequency and low-frequency CM EMI) while avoiding the complexity of separate stacked assemblies for different frequency ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 planar configuration effectively filters CM EMI, reduces system complexity, and enhances reliability by eliminating core stacking, while providing efficient noise attenuation across a wide frequency band, thus meeting stringent EMI requirements.

Implementation Method 1

Each hybrid toroidal core inductor includes a ferrite toroidal core and a nanocrystalline toroidal core that are both magnetized by common windings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic properties: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

The planar common-mode choke is connected to filter common-mode electromagnetic interference generated by the active rectifier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interference filtering: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2940701B1Hybrid planar common-mode choke
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP
  • EP2940701B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2940701B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2940701B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A common-mode choke includes a plurality of hybrid core inductors 30a, 30b and a printed circuit board. Each of the plurality of hybrid core inductors includes a first core 32a, 34a made of a first material, a second core 32b, 34b made of a second material, and at least one common coil configured to generate a magnetic field in both the first and second cores. The printed circuit board is configured to connect the plurality of hybrid core inductors in series.