Inductor Terminal Footprint Constrained Within Square Projection Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for smaller inductors in electronic devices requires a space-saving design that allows for efficient installation on circuit boards while accommodating other components, as conventional inductors do not have a limited installation space within a square area.
Innovation Solution
The inductor design features terminal portions with a solder fillet projection area confined within a square in orthogonal projection, ensuring the inductor's footprint is limited to a square area, allowing for compact arrangement of other components around it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the inductor uses a conventional design without limited projection area, then the terminal portion can be freely arranged, but the installation space on the board becomes uncontrolled and larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the terminal portion at an offset location rather than symmetrically on the flange portion. This asymmetric arrangement allows the solder fillet projection area to be contained within a square that circumscribes the flange portion, thereby controlling the installation footprint while maintaining design flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional free arrangement to three-dimensional constrained positioning by defining the projection area in the orthogonal direction. By ensuring the terminal portion's projection falls within the circumscribing square of the flange portion, the invention controls the installation space envelope without restricting the terminal's functional positioning
2Productivity
If the inductor projection area is limited to a square, then space utilization improves and other components can be efficiently arranged, but the terminal portion positioning becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the square circumscribing area based on the flange portion dimensions before terminal portion placement. This preliminary geometric constraint establishes the boundaries within which the terminal must be positioned, ensuring square-footprint compliance while guiding the positioning process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the terminal portion's position, orientation, and dimensions to ensure its projection area fits within the circumscribing square. By varying these geometric parameters, the design achieves space-efficient square footprint while accommodating electrical connection requirements
Data Source
AI summary
An inductor (1) is arranged such that the projection area of each terminal portion (4A, 4B) falls within a square (5) circumscribing the projection area of an upper flange portion (22) under a state where the inductor (1) is projected orthogonally in the direction of the axis C1. Projection area of each end of a winding (3) connected to the joint (41) of the terminal portions (4A, 4B) also falls within the square (5). Consequently, an installation space can be secured easily on a board, and a space saving inductor in which a space for installation of other components can be secured easily on the periphery can be obtained.