INDUCTIVE COMPONENT AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING AN INDUCTANCE

Abstract

An inductive component is provided, including: a winding; and a plurality of adjustment bodies configured to adjust an inductance of the inductive component, the adjustment bodies including a ferromagnetic material and surrounding at least some regions of the winding, the inductance being adjusted via a shape and/or a position and/or a number of the adjustment bodies, and a filling body including a non-magnetic material is disposed between at least two of the adjustment bodies.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. An inductive component, comprising: a winding; and a plurality of adjustment bodies configured to adjust an inductance of the inductive component, the adjustment bodies comprising a ferromagnetic material and surrounding at least some regions of the winding, wherein the inductance is adjusted via a shape and/or a position and/or a number of the adjustment bodies, and wherein a filling body comprising a non-magnetic material is disposed between at least two of the adjustment bodies.

17. The inductive component according to claim 16, wherein the winding is disposed at least partially within the adjustment bodies.

18. The inductive component according to claim 16, wherein the adjustment bodies are further configured as a ring or a sleeve.

19. The inductive component according to claim 16, wherein the adjustment bodies have different lengths and/or different diameters.

20. The inductive component according to claim 16, wherein the adjustment bodies have a center point relative to a winding axis and the winding has a center point relative to the winding axis, and wherein the center point of the adjustment bodies is at a distance from the center point of the winding.

21. The inductive component according to claim 16, further comprising a stop configured to limit a displacement of the adjustment bodies along a winding axis, wherein the adjustment bodies are disposed at a distance from the stop.

22. The inductive component according to claim 16, wherein the inductance is adjusted via the position of the adjustment bodies relative to a winding axis.

23. The inductive component according to claim 16, wherein the adjustment bodies are fixed relative to the winding by means of an applied bonding agent, and wherein the adjustment bodies are further configured to be displaceable in a direction of a winding axis without the bonding agent.

24. The inductive component according to claim 16, further comprising a housing configured to provide shielding, wherein the adjustment bodies are disposed between the housing and the winding.

25. The inductive component according to claim 16, the inductive component being designed as an air-core coil.

Description

[0045] The figures show:

[0046] FIG. 1 an embodiment of an inductive component in a lateral view,

[0047] FIG. 2 a further embodiment of an inductive component in a lateral view,

[0048] FIG. 3 a further embodiment of an inductive component in a lateral view,

[0049] FIG. 4 a further embodiment of an inductive component in a lateral view,

[0050] FIGS. 5A to 5C a method for adjusting an inductance in a schematic illustration.

[0051] In the following figures, the same reference signs preferably refer to functionally or structurally equivalent parts of the various embodiments.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows an inductive component 1 comprising a winding 2. The winding 2 is formed by a helically wound wire 3.

[0053] The wire 3 is wrapped around a coil carrier 11, for example (see FIG. 4). The component 1 can be configured as a so-called air-core coil, in which there is no magnetic core in the interior of the winding 2. The coil carrier 11 is thus non-magnetic. The coil carrier 11 comprises plastic, for example, or is made of plastic. Alternatively, the coil carrier 11 is configured as a magnetic core or a magnetic core is inserted into the coil carrier 11.

[0054] The inductive component 1 comprises an adjustment arrangement 40, which is formed by a plurality of adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n. After the winding 2 has been completed, the inductance can be adjusted precisely by means of the adjustment arrangement 40. The adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n surround at least some regions of the winding 2. The adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n are in particular at least partially disposed in a region that is further away from the winding axis than the outer side of the winding 2.

[0055] The winding 2 is in particular, at least in some regions, disposed between one of the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n and the winding axis A. “Disposed between” is defined by the winding 2 being hit by a perpendicular line which connects a point of the adjustment body 4_1, 4_2, 4_n to the winding axis A.

[0056] The respective adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n are formed by rings or sleeves made of ferromagnetic material. The material is ferrite, for example.

[0057] In the present case, the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n form a hollow cylinder in which the winding 2 is disposed. The coil carrier can be disposed in the hollow cylinder as well. The wire ends 6, 7 project from the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n. The wire ends 6, 7 are continued on, for example to connect the component 1 to a contact terminal (not shown), or provided with a further contact connection (not shown).

[0058] After the adjustment of the inductance, the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n can be fixed relative to the winding 2. For example, the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n are attached to the winding 2 or a coil carrier with a bonding agent, for instance an adhesive. Depending on the adjustment procedure, this can be a fast or slowly curing adhesive. For example, it is a UV adhesive.

[0059] In addition to the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n, the component 1 can use a housing (not shown here) that at least partially surrounds the adjustment body 4_1, 4_2, 4_n and the winding 2. The housing can increase the adjustment range.

[0060] The housing can be a metal housing, for example. This can be a separate component, for example in the form of a metal cylinder. It can also be a wrap of metal foil, in particular an aluminum foil, which is wrapped around the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n. It can alternatively also be a coating on the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n. The housing preferably extends over the entire winding 2, in particular if the adjustment arrangement 40 does not extend over the entire winding 2.

[0061] In the present case, the length of the adjustment arrangement 40 is similar to that of the winding 2; the adjustment arrangement 40 is in particular slightly longer than the winding 2.

[0062] Between the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n there can also be gaps 5. The gaps 5 can in particular be such that the position of the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n can be changed parallel to the winding axis to adjust the inductance.

[0063] To adjust the inductance, individual adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n, in the present case rings, can be selectively added or removed. For example, after the winding 2 has been produced, the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n are arranged around the winding 2 and the inductance of the component 1 is subsequently measured. Depending on a deviation from a target value, one or more of the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n are removed or further adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n are added. The inductance can then be measured again and a check is carried out to see whether a target value has been reached. If necessary, further adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n are switched.

[0064] The adjustment bodies 4 can have different lengths 1_1, 1_2, 1_n. Depending on the size of the deviation between the target value and the measured value, a longer or shorter adjustment body 1_1, 1_2, 1_n is removed or added.

[0065] For example, prior to the adjustment, the inductive component 1 comprises the adjustment bodies 4_1 to 4_n. The adjustment body 41 is removed for the adjustment, so that the inductive component 1 comprises only the adjustment bodies 4_2 to 4_n. The adjustment arrangement 40 consisting of the remaining adjustment bodies 4_2 to 4_n is now shorter, and leads to a change in the inductance, in particular a reduction of the inductance of the component 1. In particular a change at the edge of the winding 2 leads to a change in the inductance.

[0066] The center of gravity of the adjustment arrangement 40 is also now no longer positioned centrally relative to the winding 2 in the direction of the axis, but is rather shifted to the right relative to the winding 2. This causes a change in the inductance, in particular a reduction in the inductance of the component 1.

[0067] Alternatively, or additionally, the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n can also have different peripheral shapes. For example, the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n can have rectangular or elliptical peripheral shapes. Tuning can be then be carried out by changing the replacement of an adjustment body with an adjustment body having a different size.

[0068] The wire 3 of the winding 2 is configured as a flat wire, for example. It can be a copper wire.

[0069] The inductance of the component 1 is between 1 and 1000 nH, for example. Depending on the design, by varying the adjustment arrangement 40, it is possible to adjust the inductance in a range of up to 10% in steps of 0.01% of the total inductance, for example. If the subdivision of the adjustment arrangement 40 is very fine, it is possible to tune the inductance value more finely in steps of 1 nH to well below 1 nH.

[0070] The inductance can be flexibly adjusted by combining different lengths, shapes, numbers and material compositions of the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n. Due to the large number of possible combinations, an optimal configuration in terms of AC losses, inductance, size, emission characteristics, radiation characteristics, shielding, heat development, robustness, etc. can be found, so that optimal performance can be achieved.

[0071] FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of an inductive component 1. In contrast to FIG. 1, filling bodies 8_1, 8_2, 8_n are included here as well in addition to the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n. The filling bodies 8_1, 8_2, 8_n are non-magnetic. The filling bodies 8_1, 8_2, 8_n comprise a plastic material, for example.

[0072] The filling bodies 8_1, 8_2, 8_n fill the space between the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n and serve to determine the positions of the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n, or fill empty spaces, for example after the removal of an adjustment body to adjust the inductance. The respective filling bodies 8_1, 8_2, 8_n can have the same length as the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n. The filling bodies 8_1, 8_2, 8_n can also have a different length than the adjustment body 4_1, 4_2, 4_n.

[0073] To adjust the inductance, one of the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n is replaced by a filling body 8_1, 8_2, 8_n, for example, or the position of the filling bodies 8_1, 8_2, 8_n and the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n is changed.

[0074] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of an inductive component 1. In contrast to FIG. 2, the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n have different diameters b1, b2, bn. For the adjustment, one adjustment body is replaced by an adjustment body having a larger or smaller outer diameter, for example.

[0075] Here, too, one or more filling bodies 8_1 can be disposed between the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n. In the present case, there is only one filling body 81 between two of the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2 and there is no filling body between the other adjustment bodies 4_2, 4_n. There can also be filling bodies between all or none of the adjustment bodies.

[0076] A housing 9, in which the adjustment arrangement 4 and the winding 2 are accommodated, is indicated here as well. The adjustment arrangement 4 is disposed between the housing 9 and the winding 2. The adjustment arrangement 4 can abut a wall of the housing 9. The adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n can also be attached to the housing 9. The housing 9 can also be included in the other embodiments shown. Such a housing 9, in particular a metal housing, can improve the shielding and increase the adjustment range.

[0077] Alternatively, or additionally, the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n can also assume a shielding function, so that the inductances are decoupled from the environment. Such a shielding of electromagnetic waves/fields is necessary in the high-frequency range in particular. The decoupling can be optimized even further with another metal housing.

[0078] In an alternative embodiment to the air-core coil, the coil carrier can also be configured as a magnetic core, for example as a ferrite core, or there may a magnetic core in the coil carrier.

[0079] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of an inductive component 1. Here, too, an adjustment arrangement 40 is disposed in the outer space of the winding 2, which in this case comprises only a single adjustment body 4. The adjustment body 4 is configured as a sleeve. The winding 2 is disposed within the adjustment body 4. In the present case, the wire ends 6, 7 project out of the same end of the adjustment body 4. The wire ends 6, 7 can also project from different ends.

[0080] In the present case, the adjustment body 4 is longer than the winding 2. For example, the adjustment body 4 is longer than the winding 2 by a maximum of half the length of the winding 2.

[0081] The inductance is adjusted here by moving the adjustment body 4 along the winding axis A. The (longitudinal) position of the adjustment body 4 relative to the winding 2 is thus changed. In particular the distance d of the center point x_4 of the adjustment body 4 to the center x_2 of the winding 2 is varied. The center points x_2, x_4 refer to the geometric center points of the winding 2 or the adjustment body 4 relative to the winding axis A, for example, which can also be referred to as the x-axis. The center points x_2, x_4 can also refer to the centers of mass or the magnetic centers of the winding 2 or the adjustment body 4.

[0082] The inductive component 1 comprises a stop 10, which limits the displacement of the adjustment body 4 along the winding axis A. The stop 10 is an integral component of a coil carrier 11, for example, around which the winding 2 is disposed. The stop 10 limits the maximum displacement of the adjustment body 4 in one direction. The position of the center point of the adjustment body 4 when the adjustment body 4 abuts the stop 10 is identified as x_10.

[0083] For example, in an initial position, the center point x_4 of the adjustment body 4 is disposed halfway between the stop position x_10 and the center point x_2 of the winding 2. In this case, there is sufficient room for fine tuning in both longitudinal directions. A displacement away from the center point x_2 of the winding 2 leads to a reduction of the inductance, for example, and a displacement away from the stop position x_10 toward the center point x_2 of the winding 2 leads to an increase of the inductance.

[0084] In particular changing the position of the adjustment body 4 on the longitudinal edges of the winding 2 has a significant effect. It is therefore advantageous to move at least one longitudinal end of the adjustment body 4 in the region of a longitudinal end of the winding 2. The distance between a longitudinal end of the winding 2 and the adjustment body 4 before or after the adjustment of the inductance, for example, is at most only a few mm. In particular, the distances between the longitudinal ends of the adjustment body 4 and the respective nearest longitudinal end of winding 2 are different.

[0085] After adjusting the inductance, the adjustment body 4 is fixed in a position relative to the winding 2, for example on the coil carrier 11 or directly on the winding 2. In the end position, the adjustment body 4 is, for example, not positioned centrally, i.e. with its center point x_4 at the position of the center point x_2 of winding 2, nor at the stop position x_10, but rather is positioned between these two positions or even, viewed from the stop position x_10, beyond the center point x_2. The longitudinal ends of the adjustment body 4 then have different distances to the nearest edge-side turn of the winding 4, for example.

[0086] The coil carrier 10 can also comprise one or more spacers 12 for positioning, in particular centering, the adjustment body 4 at a fixed distance from the winding axis A. The spacers 12 are, for example, configured as radial projections of the coil carrier 10, against which an inner wall of the adjustment body 4 rests. Other elements can also be mounted on the coil carrier as spacers.

[0087] In the present case, the coil carrier 10 has a cylindrical shape. The coil former can also have a different shape, for example a cuboid shape. The coil carrier 10 can also be a part of a larger body, for example an annular body. The coil carrier 10 can be configured as a hollow body.

[0088] A combination of the properties of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3 with the embodiment of FIG. 4 is possible as well. It is in particular also possible for the coil carrier 11 to be included in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3, and for the wire ends 6, 7 to project from the same end. In FIGS. 1 to 3, too, the center point of the adjustment arrangement 40 on the winding axis A can be used as a measure for the position of the adjustment arrangement 40 relative to the winding 2 and, additionally or alternatively, a displacement of the adjustment arrangement 40 or the adjustment body 4_1, 4_2, 4_n relative to the winding 2 is possible.

[0089] FIGS. 5A to 5C show method steps for adjusting an inductance of an inductive component 1.

[0090] According to FIG. 5A, an inductive component 1 is provided, for example a component according to FIG. 4.

[0091] For example, an adjustment body 4 is disposed with its center point at position x_4 halfway between a stop position x_10 and the position x_2 of the center point of the winding 2.

[0092] The initial position of the adjustment body 4 can alternatively also be the stop position x_10, for example, and the adjustment body 4 is moved from the stop position x_10 toward the center point x_2 of the winding 2. If necessary, the adjustment body 4 can also be moved beyond the center point x_2. This has the advantage that the initial position of the adjustment body 4 can easily be adjusted.

[0093] The inductance L of the component 1 is measured. The required displacement of the adjustment body 4 along the winding axis A (x-axis) is determined as a function of a target value of the inductance L of the component 1.

[0094] According to FIG. 5B, the adjustment body 4 is then moved depending on the deviation of the measured value from the target value.

[0095] If the measured value is greater than the target value of the inductance L, for example, the adjustment body 4 is moved away from the center point x_2 of the winding 2 toward the stop position x_10. If the measured value is smaller than the target value of the inductance L, the adjustment body 4 is moved toward the center point x_2 of the winding 2. The displacement can be carried out in defined steps, for example in the μm range. The maximum displacement is in the mm range, for example. The displacement is carried out with the aid of a stepper motor, for example. The length of the displacement can also be set as a function of the deviation from the target value.

[0096] For example, depending on the geometry of the component 1, the inductance can be reduced by up to 5% by moving the adjustment body 4 from the position of the center point x_2 to the stop position x_10. If the adjustment body 4 is in the central position relative to the winding 2, a maximum inductance value can be achieved; if there is a maximum displacement to the position x_10, a minimum inductance value can be achieved.

[0097] The inductance value can then be measured again. If the inductance is sufficiently close to the target value, the position x_4 of the adjustment body 4 is fixed.

[0098] According to FIG. 5C, the adjustment body 4 is fixed in its x position. The adjustment body 4 is attached to the winding 2 or the coil carrier 11 by means of a bonding agent 13, for example. The bonding agent 13 can be an adhesive, for example, in particular a UV adhesive. The bonding agent 13 is applied and cured.

[0099] The end position x_4 can now be used for a group of components 1. Alternatively, the adjustment can also be carried out again for each individual component 1. The method is suitable for adjustment in fully automated production.

[0100] Corresponding adjustment methods can be carried out for the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3. In these embodiments, after measuring the inductance L in FIG. 5A, one of the adjustment bodies 4_1, 4_2, 4_n, for example, can be removed or added for the adjustment.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0101] 1 Inductive component [0102] 2 Winding [0103] 3 Wire [0104] 40 Adjustment arrangement [0105] 4, 4_1, 4_2, 4_n Adjustment body [0106] 5 Gap [0107] 6 Wire end [0108] 7 Wire end [0109] 8_1, 8_2, 8_n Filling body [0110] 9 Housing [0111] 10 Stop [0112] 11 Coil carrier [0113] 12 Spacer [0114] 13 Bonding agent [0115] A Winding axis [0116] x_2 Center of winding [0117] x_4 Center of adjustment body/adjustment arrangement [0118] x_10 Stop position [0119] d Distance center of winding—center of adjustment body [0120] L Inductance [0121] b.sub.1, b.sub.2, b.sub.n Diameter [0122] l.sub.1, l.sub.2, Length