Inductor-Cooled Voltage Regulator Module With Low-Parasitic Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern processors face challenges with high load currents and sudden increases, requiring precise voltage regulation to manage power dissipation and thermal limitations, which existing voltage regulator modules struggle to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator module with a power stage featuring an inductor embedded in a magnetic core and a metal clip that connects its end to the power output terminal, providing effective cooling and a low-ohmic current path with minimal parasitic inductance, allowing power delivery and regulation at the same side, enabling efficient voltage regulation and thermal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional voltage regulator modules are used with separate input and output sides, then power delivery is achieved, but parasitic inductance increases and thermal management becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the input and output terminals to the same side of the module, combining previously separate functional areas. This integration reduces the current path length and minimizes parasitic inductance, directly improving voltage regulation precision while maintaining power delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar layout to a three-dimensional vertical conductor configuration embedded in the magnetic core. The vertical conductor extends through the magnetic core thickness, creating a compact current path that reduces parasitic inductance without increasing the module's footprint area.
2Power
If conventional voltage regulator modules are used, then power delivery is achieved, but thermal management efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the input and output terminals on the same side, allowing for more efficient thermal coupling between power components and thermal management structures. This configuration enables better heat dissipation pathways while maintaining high power delivery capability to the processor.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic core serves as a dual-function intermediary: it provides the necessary magnetic flux path for power delivery while simultaneously acting as a thermal conduction pathway. The vertical conductor embedded in the magnetic core transfers heat efficiently from the switch node to the module's external terminals, improving thermal management.
3Productivity
If higher load currents are delivered to meet processor power demand, then computational capability increases, but voltage regulation precision becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical conductor configuration reduces the current loop area by utilizing the third dimension (vertical orientation through the magnetic core). This dimensional change minimizes parasitic inductance, enabling precise voltage regulation even at high load currents of 1000 A and higher, thus supporting increased processor computational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical configuration parameters of the conductor from horizontal to vertical orientation and embeds it within the magnetic core. This parameter change reduces the effective current path length and parasitic inductance, maintaining voltage regulation precision under high current conditions required for high-performance computing.
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 configuration effectively regulates voltage and manages thermal issues, enabling processors to run cooler and handle additional computational tasks by providing a precise and efficient power delivery system with reduced parasitic inductance and enhanced cooling.
Implementation Method 1
an inductor having a vertical conductor embedded in a magnetic core, the vertical conductor having a first end which is electrically connected to the switch node
Implementation Method 2
a first metal clip which electrically connects the second end of the vertical conductor to the power output terminal such that power is delivered to and from the voltage regulator module at the same side
Implementation Method 3
providing effective cooling and a low-ohmic current path with minimal parasitic inductance
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator module includes: power input and output terminals at a same side of the voltage regulator module; a first power stage configured to receive an input voltage from the power input terminal and output a phase current at a switch node of the first power stage, the first power stage including an inductor having a vertical conductor embedded in a magnetic core, the vertical conductor having a first end which is electrically connected to the switch node and a second end opposite the first end; and a first metal clip which electrically connects the second end of the vertical conductor to the power output terminal such that power is delivered to and from the voltage regulator module at the same side of the voltage regulator module. A method of producing the voltage regulator module and electronic assembly that includes the voltage regulator module are also described.