Variable-Resistance Inductor Layout for Compact Impedance Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing variable inductors used in power transmission systems, such as those disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6701923, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 1996-162331, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2010-272815, face challenges in reducing their size while maintaining a variable range of inductance, leading to increased device size.
Innovation Solution
The proposed inductor element incorporates an inductor wiring with an interruption portion, a pair of external terminals, an inductor variable resistance portion at the interruption, and a variable resistance terminal. This configuration allows for the adjustment of resistance values between the inductor wiring's side parts, enabling impedance changes without increasing the number of coils or their length, thus suppressing the overall size increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of turns of the coil and line length are changed according to the on and off of the switch to vary inductance, then the impedance can be adjusted, but the size of the variable inductor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the inductor's electrical characteristics variable through a switch that can connect different coil patterns in series or parallel, allowing the inductance to be dynamically adjusted between a first value and a second value without physically changing the coil structure or size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the inductor into multiple coil patterns (first coil pattern and second coil pattern) that can be independently connected or disconnected through the switch, enabling variable inductance by selectively combining segments rather than using a single large coil
2Volume of moving object
If the number of coils is reduced to decrease the size of the variable inductor, then the device size is reduced, but multiple stages are needed to increase the variable range of inductance which increases the overall device size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple coil patterns into a single inductor structure where the first coil pattern and second coil pattern are interconnected through a switch, allowing the inductance to be varied by changing the connection configuration (series or parallel) rather than using multiple separate inductor stages
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 effectively reduces the size of the inductor element while maintaining the ability to vary impedance, eliminating the need for multiple stages of inductors and minimizing parasitic capacitance, thereby enhancing the performance and compactness of power transmission systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one inductor variable resistance portion provided at the interruption portion... changes a resistance value between the one side part and the other side part
Data Source
AI summary
An inductor element includes an inductor wiring having an interruption portion in at least one place, a pair of external terminals that are connected to each of one side part and the other side part, which are located on both sides of the interruption portion, of the inductor wiring and that are exposed to an outside, at least one inductor variable resistance portion that is provided at the interruption portion, and at least one variable resistance terminal that is connected to the inductor variable resistance portion and that is exposed to the outside. The inductor variable resistance portion connects the one side part and the other side part, and changes a resistance value between the one side part and the other side part.