Inductor Trace Layout Using Empty Blocks for Connection Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inductor devices face limitations in terms of mutual inductance, coupling efficiency, and spatial occupancy, which restrict their applications due to challenges in designing symmetrical structures and efficient connection schemes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed inductor device incorporates a first trace and a second trace disposed on separate areas, coupled at a junction, with connection members placed in adjacent empty blocks to simplify the connection structure and enhance the quality factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If connection members are placed in blocks occupied by traces, then connection structure is simplified, but trace layout flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional zones: trace areas for signal routing and empty blocks for connection members. This segmentation allows independent optimization of trace layout and connection structure without mutual interference, resolving the contradiction between connection simplicity and layout flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Empty blocks serve as intermediary spaces that facilitate connection between traces without requiring direct overlap or complex routing. These intermediary zones enable simplified connection structures while preserving full trace layout flexibility.
2Reliability
If empty blocks are used to dispose connection members, then connection structure is simplified and quality factor is enhanced, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The empty blocks, which would otherwise be unused space, are utilized to house connection members. This self-service approach converts wasted area into functional elements that enhance quality factor, achieving reliability improvement without proportional area increase.
Solution Approach 2:
Previously discarded empty blocks are recovered and repurposed for connection member placement. This recovery of unused resources provides functional benefits (simplified connection, enhanced quality factor) while minimizing additional area consumption.
3Manufacturing precision
If twin inductor is designed as symmetrical structure, then manufacturing precision is improved, but terminal positioning is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
While maintaining symmetrical trace patterns for manufacturing precision, the connection members are placed in asymmetrically positioned empty blocks. This asymmetric placement of connection elements provides terminal positioning flexibility without compromising the symmetrical precision of the main inductor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the terminal positioning problem from the trace plane to the block grid plane. By placing connection members in empty blocks rather than along trace paths, terminal positions can be adjusted in the block dimension independently of the symmetrical trace geometry, enabling flexible positioning while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An inductor device includes a first trace, a second trace, and at least one connection member. The first trace is disposed on a first area. The second trace is disposed on a second area. The first area and the second area are coupled to each other at a junction. The at least connection member is disposed at a block at which the first trace and the second trace are not disposed and which is adjacent to the junction, and the at least connection member is coupled to the first trace and the second trace.