Magnetic Core Layout for Inductive Coupling Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wire wound inductors are bulky and inefficient, making it difficult to create compact, efficient, and high current output power supply circuits.

Innovation Solution

Fabrication of a circuit component with a magnetic permeable core containing multiple electrically conductive paths and strategically placed cutaway portions to reduce inductive coupling between paths, using a monolithic magnetic structure for a compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional wire wound inductors are used, then inductance is achieved, but the component becomes bulky and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinductor sizeVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic core is segmented into multiple discrete blocks (first magnetic core block, second magnetic core block, third magnetic core block) arranged in a specific configuration. This segmentation allows for optimized magnetic flux paths and reduced core losses while maintaining compact dimensions, directly addressing both the size and efficiency concerns of conventional inductors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inductor employs a composite structure combining multiple magnetic core materials with different properties (represented by different hysteresis loops in the patent). This composite approach optimizes both the magnetic performance and physical dimensions, achieving high inductance in a compact form factor with improved efficiency by selecting materials with appropriate loss characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Area of stationary object

If multiple electrically conductive paths are placed close together, then circuit compactness is achieved, but inductive coupling between paths increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit footprintVSAvoidinductive coupling interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the magnetic core are assigned different functions: some regions provide magnetic coupling for inductance, while others (air gaps, magnetic shields) provide isolation to control inductive coupling between conductive paths. This local differentiation allows multiple paths to be placed close together while managing interference through spatially varying magnetic properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Magnetic shields and air gaps are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent electrically conductive paths. These intermediaries control the magnetic flux distribution, allowing compact arrangement of multiple paths while reducing unwanted inductive coupling through the shielding effect and flux path manipulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enables the creation of smaller footprint circuits with adjustable inductive coupling, allowing for efficient energy conversion and reduced magnetic flux interference.

Implementation Method 1

a core of the circuit component includes magnetic permeable material. The circuit component includes multiple electrically conductive paths extending through the core of the magnetic permeable material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic permeability: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

Presence of the cutaway portions at respective appropriate one or more locations of the circuit component reduces inductive coupling between the first electrically conductive path and the second electrically conductive path disposed in the core

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4092698B1Magnetic structures and inductive coupling control
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • EP4092698B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4092698B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4092698B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to one configuration, a fabricator fabricates a core of a circuit component to include magnetic permeable material. The fabricator further produces the circuit component to include multiple electrically conductive paths extending through the core of the magnetic permeable material. In one arrangement, the multiple electrically conductive paths include a first electrically conductive path and a second electrically conductive path. The fabricator fabricates the circuit component and, more specifically, the core of the magnetic permeable material to include at least one cutaway portion operative to reduce inductive coupling between the first electrically conductive path and the second electrically conductive path disposed in the core.