Rare-Earth Phosphate Coating for Heat-Resistant Magnetic Powder Cores

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Solution Overview

Problem

Soft magnetic powder cores used in electrical equipment suffer from high iron loss due to eddy currents, which existing coatings like hydroxyapatite and glassy insulating layers fail to adequately address, particularly in terms of heat resistance.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a coating procedure that mixes a soft magnetic material with an aqueous solution containing a phosphate compound and a rare earth compound, such as Ce, Nd, Sm, La, or Dy, to form a phosphorus compound coating, which is then adjusted in pH to enhance heat resistance and reduce losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a soft magnetic powder is molded as it is, then the manufacturing process is simple, but eddy currents are generated throughout the component resulting in higher iron loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidiron loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful conductive property from the soft magnetic powder by forming an insulating coating layer on the particle surfaces. This coating layer electrically isolates adjacent particles, preventing eddy current formation while maintaining the magnetic core's functional integrity. The extraction of conductivity at the particle level resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and energy loss reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining soft magnetic powder particles with an insulating coating material (such as glassy insulating layer containing Cr or P). This composite approach allows the magnetic core to retain its magnetic properties while the insulating coating prevents eddy currents. The composite material structure enables both energy loss reduction and acceptable manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If a coating is formed on the soft magnetic powder surface, then iron loss is reduced, but heat resistance of the coating is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveiron lossVSAvoidheat resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the coating formation conditions, including pH value (maintained between 1-4.5), temperature, and composition ratios of rare earth compounds and phosphate compounds. These parameter optimizations ensure the coating achieves both insulating properties for iron loss reduction and thermal stability for heat resistance. The precise control of chemical parameters during coating formation resolves the contradiction between energy loss reduction and heat resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite coating materials containing rare earth compounds (such as Ce, Nd, Sm, La, or Dy) and phosphate compounds, optionally combined with metal oxoacid compounds. This composite composition provides both electrical insulation for iron loss reduction and thermal stability for heat resistance. The synergistic effect of multiple materials in the coating resolves the contradiction between reducing iron loss and maintaining heat resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If multiple coating procedures are performed, then coating quality and heat resistance are improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidcoating process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple coating procedures into a single integrated coating step by combining rare earth compounds, phosphate compounds, and metal oxoacid compounds in one coating solution. This merged approach achieves the same coating quality and heat resistance as multiple sequential coatings would provide, but with reduced process complexity. The combination of multiple functional compounds in one step resolves the contradiction between heat resistance improvement and process simplification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional coating solution that simultaneously provides electrical insulation, heat resistance, and magnetic property preservation. By designing a coating composition that performs multiple functions (insulation, thermal stability, magnetic compatibility), the patent eliminates the need for multiple specialized coating steps. This multi-functionality approach resolves the contradiction between achieving high heat resistance and maintaining process simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 method results in a coated magnetic material with improved heat resistance and reduced iron loss, maintaining magnetic properties even after heating, suitable for high-frequency applications.

Implementation Method 1

mixing a soft magnetic material and an aqueous solution containing a phosphate compound and a rare earth compound to form a first coating containing a phosphorus compound containing a rare earth metal element on a surface of the soft magnetic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the coating procedure is performed at least twice... in the m-th coating procedure, an inorganic acid is added to the aqueous solution to adjust a pH of the aqueous solution to at least 1 but not higher than 4.5

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH adjustment:

Data Source

PatentEP4447075A1Coated magnetic material and method of producing coated magnetic material
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 NICHIA CORP
  • EP4447075A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4447075A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4447075A1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A method of producing a coated magnetic material, including: a coating procedure including mixing a soft magnetic material and an aqueous solution containing a phosphate compound and a rare earth compound to form a coating containing a phosphorus compound containing a rare earth metal element on a surface of the soft magnetic material.