Tripod Inductor Winding for Secure PCB Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
High current inductor assemblies occupy large spaces on circuit boards, limiting the space for other electronic components and often result in insecure mechanical and electrical connections due to non-coplanar mounting points.
Innovation Solution
An inductor winding with a tripod design featuring three legs that provide three-point contact with the circuit board, allowing for better cooling and maximizing space by creating a gap between the inductor core and other components, with slits in the feet for enhanced contact and a plate-shaped middle portion to support the inductor core.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If four-point contact mounting is used, then the inductor winding can be securely mounted, but non-coplanar mounting points result in insecure electrical or mechanical connection
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is segmented into three separate legs, each with its own foot that contacts the circuit board. This segmentation into three coplanar contact points eliminates the coplanarity issues inherent in four-point mounting, ensuring all feet can simultaneously make secure electrical and mechanical contact with the circuit board surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using four mounting points as is conventional, the invention inverts the approach by using three mounting points arranged in a tripod configuration. This inversion resolves the coplanarity problem by ensuring all three feet can naturally contact the circuit board surface simultaneously.
2Volume of moving object
If the inductor core is mounted close to the circuit board, then the overall assembly size is reduced, but cooling of electronic components is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The tripod structure with three legs elevates the inductor core vertically above the circuit board, creating sufficient clearance for air circulation and cooling of electronic components mounted on the board, while maintaining a compact horizontal footprint.
Data Source
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AI summary
An inductor winding includes first, second, and third arms, a middle portion extending between and connected to at least two of the first, second, and third arms and arranged to support a winding core mounted thereon, and first, second, and third legs extending downwardly from the first, second and third arms, respectively, and arranged to be mounted on a circuit board. The first, second, and third legs are arranged to provide three-point contact with the circuit board, and the inductor winding is arranged to provide a space between a bottom surface of the winding core mounted on the middle portion and an upper surface of electronic components mounted on the circuit board.