Integrated Capacitor Inductor Shared Energy Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
The physical size of inductors and capacitors often limits the miniaturization of electrical circuits due to their separate energy storage volumes, which hinders the reduction of circuit size in both low-powered and high-powered electronics.
Innovation Solution
A combined inductor and capacitor design where a high magnetic permeability material is integrated into the capacitor structure, allowing it to share an energy storage volume with the inductor, thereby reducing the overall bulk and enabling a compact package.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inductors and capacitors are designed as separate components with dedicated energy storage volumes, then each component can achieve optimal performance for its specific function, but the overall circuit size increases due to the need for separate volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the inductor and capacitor into a single integrated component where the capacitor is positioned within the inductor's surrounded volume. The high magnetic permeability material is distributed within the capacitor structure, allowing both components to share the same physical space while maintaining their respective functions for magnetic and electrostatic energy storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor is nested within the surrounded volume of the inductor, with the capacitor structure containing high magnetic permeability material that becomes part of the inductor core. This nested arrangement allows the capacitor to occupy the internal space of the inductor, significantly reducing the overall device volume while maintaining both energy storage functions.
2Volume of stationary object
If the physical size of inductors and capacitors is reduced to enable circuit miniaturization, then circuit size decreases, but the energy storage capacity and performance of individual components may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated component performs multiple functions within a single structure: the inductor provides magnetic energy storage through its coil and core, while the capacitor provides electrostatic energy storage through its plates and dielectric. The high magnetic permeability material distributed in the capacitor structure contributes to both the inductor's magnetic field concentration and the capacitor's energy storage capability, maximizing utility within reduced volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor structure incorporates high magnetic permeability material (ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic) distributed within its construction, creating a composite structure that simultaneously supports capacitive and inductive functions. This composite approach allows the component to maintain energy storage capacity while reducing overall size.
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 solution allows for a significant reduction in the size of the devices by integrating high permeability material into the capacitor structure, enhancing both inductive and capacitive energy storage within the same volume, while maintaining independent access to the inductor and capacitor for flexibility in circuit design.
Implementation Method 1
A high magnetic permeability material is distributed within the capacitor structure being one or both of a ferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic material
Implementation Method 2
Inductors provide energy storage in the form of a magnetic field in the vicinity of a current-carrying conductor
Implementation Method 3
Capacitors provide for energy storage in the form of an electric field generated between two plates of different voltage separated by an insulator
Implementation Method 4
The insulator between the plates may further be selected to be a dielectric material, such as a plastic or ceramic, to further increase the capacitance
Data Source
AI summary
A combination capacitor and inductor employ a common volume for energy-storing electrical and magnetic fields thereby reducing the bulk of these components with respect to separate components of comparable value.