Abstract:
A method of assembling an electronic component in accordance with the invention comprises providing an electronic component having a body and a core and applying a film over at least a portion of the body and core so that the film secures the body and core to one another.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 10/756,854, filed Jan. 14, 2004, which claims benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/441,360, filed Jan. 21, 2003, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to electronic components and more particularly concerns low profile surface mountable inductive components having a structure that improves the manufacturability and performance of the component.  
         [0003]     The electronics industry provides a variety of wire wound components such as inductors which come in a variety of package types and configurations. For example, inductors may be provided in through-hole or surface mount package configurations. In addition, some inductors are provided with a base structure, such as a plastic header, having an internal opening through which a core, such as a drum or bobbin type core, is disposed and mounted.  
         [0004]     Although many advances have been made with respect to the packaging and structural arrangements of wire wound components, most (if not all) of the available components continue to use traditional gluing or potting methods to attach the various pieces of the component, (e.g., core, base, etc.), to one another. More particularly, the core and base structures of existing open base wire wound inductive components are typically connected by attaching the core to the base at the edges of the core. For example, with respect to existing coil components having bobbin type cores, the core and base are normally attached by connecting at least one of the flanged ends of the bobbin core to the base. Such methods and configurations for attaching the pieces of wire wound components are problematic for a variety of reasons.  
         [0005]     One problem associated with the use of existing gluing or potting methods to attach the pieces of a wire wound component (or coil component) is the inability of the adhesive to withstand the harsh conditions the component is exposed to during its production and use. For example, surface mount components are attached to a printed circuit board (PCB) via solder paste, which requires the PCB and component to be passed through a solder reflow oven at temperatures high enough to briefly melt the solder paste and heat the leads or terminals of the component and corresponding lands on the PCB so that the solder can electrically connect the component to the lands or traces on the PCB. Similarly, through-hole components are connected to PCBs by placing the leads or terminals of the component through holes in the PCB and then passing the PCB and the component through a solder bath (or solder wave) which is run at temperatures high enough to heat the leads of the component and lands on the PCB so that the solder can electrically connect the component to the lands on the PCB. Unfortunately, most adhesives become rigid when subjected to such high temperatures and lose their flexibility which can cause the wire wound component to fail specified vibration parameters, as will be discussed further below.  
         [0006]     In addition to the high temperatures encountered during the placement of the component on a PCB, the adhesive must also be able to withstand wide ranges of temperatures and other environmental conditions the component will be subjected to during its lifetime. For example, in automotive applications, the component may be subjected to, and must withstand, a range of temperatures, (e.g., −40° C. to +150° C.), and the associated thermal stresses that accompany such temperatures. Thus, the adhesives used must allow the pieces of the component to move to account for such things as thermal expansion and contraction of the materials used in each component, thermal shock, thermal cycling, and the like. As mentioned above, most adhesives become rigid when subjected to such temperature ranges and lose some flexibility. Often times, this reduction in the flexibility of the adhesive can lead to the pieces of the component damaging one another when movement occurs due to thermal expansion and contraction.  
         [0007]     In addition to the wide range of temperatures and associated movements, the component must also withstand additional stresses and environmental tests such as mechanical shock and mechanical vibration. For example, during product validation the component may be subjected to various shock and vibration tests which require the adhesive to withstand movements of the pieces of the component such as axial movement of the core with respect to the base. These stresses and conditions often prove too demanding for traditional adhesives. For example, in components having bobbin cores glued to base structures at the edges of the flanged end of the bobbin core, the glue often provides too much or too little axial movement of the bobbin with respect to the base. More particularly, since the bobbin is inherently weaker in axial flexure at the edges of the flanged ends it often does not allow for the desired axial movement when connected about the edges, thereby increasing the risk of component damage such as cracking and/or component failure. In other instances, the connection between the bobbin and the base may provide too much axial movement between the core and base. This too can increase the risk of component damage to either the core or base. The glue also adds weight which must be born by the base and core during mechanical shock and vibration testing. The extra mass load of the glue on the base and core, and the failure of distributing this mass over a larger portion of the base and core, often can lead to damage and failure of the component during vibration and mechanical shock validation.  
         [0008]     Another problem associated with use of adhesives in coil components is the inability of the adhesive to be applied to small parts in a uniform and efficient manner. In addition, existing gluing or potting methods are labor intensive and difficult to automate. Often times, the manual and automatic processes used to apply the glue leave glue on the top and bottom surfaces of the bobbin which disrupts these otherwise planar surfaces of the component and may make the component rest unevenly on a PCB or make the component difficult or impossible to pick up and place with industry standard pick-and-place machinery. For example, excess glue on the bottom surface of the component (e.g., bobbin, legs or base), may alter the height of the component which can make the component unacceptable for various low profile component applications such as PCMCIA cards, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile telephones, and the like. In another example, excess glue on the upper surface of the component (e.g., bobbin or base) can prevent the vacuum tip of a pick-and-place machine from establishing sufficient suction force to lift the component out of its reel and tape packaging so that it can be placed on the PCB.  
         [0009]     Traditional gluing methods may also result in the glue leaking out between the bobbin and base leaving little or no glue at the edges of the bobbin flange and base. Such instances result in weak or missing connections between the pieces of the component and increase the likelihood of component, or circuit, failure during testing. The glue may also overflow the sides of the base which can result in an unacceptable condition. For example, in densely populated circuits where component footprints and size are critical features, hardened glue extending from the side of a component may prevent the component from being packaged within its tape and reel compartment, or from being accurately positioned on the corresponding lands of the PCB due to the glue contacting other components or structures on the circuit, or from being placed on the circuit at all due to an inability to clear other components or structures.  
         [0010]     Accordingly, it has been determined that the need exists for an improved wire wound component and method for manufacturing same which overcome the aforementioned limitations and which further provide capabilities, features and functions, not available in current devices and methods for manufacturing.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a coil component embodying features of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 1B  is an alternate perspective view of the component of  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 1C  is a plan view of the component of  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 1D  is a bottom view of the component of  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 1E  is an exploded view of the component of  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0016]     FIGS.  1 F-G are side and end elevational views, respectively, of the component of  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 1H  a cross-sectional view of the component of  FIG. 1A  taken along line H-H in  FIG. 1D ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an alternate coil component embodying features of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the component of  FIG. 2A ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2C  is a plan view of the component of  FIG. 2A ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2D  is a bottom view of the component of  FIG. 2A ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2E  is an exploded view of the component of  FIG. 2A ;  
         [0023]     FIGS.  2 F-G are side and end elevational views, respectively, of the component of  FIG. 2A ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2H  is a cross-sectional view of the component of  FIG. 2A  taken along line H-H in  FIG. 2D ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2I  is a cross-sectional view of the component of  FIG. 2A  taken along line I-I in  FIG. 2D ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an alternate coil component embodying features of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 3B  is an alternate perspective view of the component of  FIG. 3A ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3C  is a plan view of the component of  FIG. 3A ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 3D  is a bottom view of the component of  FIG. 3A ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 3E  is an exploded view of the component of  FIG. 3A ;  
         [0031]     FIGS.  3 F-G are side and end elevational views, respectively, of the component of  FIG. 3A ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 3H  a cross-sectional view of the component of  FIG. 3A  taken along line H-H in  FIG. 3D ; and  
         [0033]     FIGS.  4 A-B are side elevational and perspective views, respectively, of an alternate core which may be used in a component embodying features of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]     An inductive component in accordance with the invention includes a core which is connected to a base via a film having an adhesive coating on at least one side. In a preferred form, the core is made of a magnetic material such as ferrite and the base has a plurality of metalized pads attached thereto for electrically and mechanically connecting the component to a printed circuit board (PCB). The component further includes a winding of wire wound about at least a portion of the core, with the ends of the wire winding being electrically and mechanically connected to the metalized pads.  
         [0035]     Turning first to FIGS.  1 A-H, there is illustrated a wire wound inductive component  10  embodying features of the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated, the inductive component  10  is configured in a surface mount package for mounting on a PCB, which is, for convenience, described herein as it would be positioned on the upper surface of a PCB.  
         [0036]     The inductive component  10  includes a body or base, such as header  12 , made of an insulating material, such as a non-conductive plastic or ceramic. The body  12  has a polygonal shape, such as an octagon, and has a smooth planer top  12   a  and bottom  12   b.  The body  12  defines an aperture  14  passing directly through the center of the top  12   a  and bottom  12   b,  and having an inner wall  12   c.    
         [0037]     In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of supports, such as legs  12   d  and  12   e,  extend downward from opposite ends of the body  12  and have metalized pads (e.g., soldering pads) located at the bottom thereof. The metalized pads  16  are made of a conductive material and are fused or bonded to the base  12  so that the component  10  may be electrically and mechanically attached to corresponding lands or traces located on the PCB via solder. More particularly, the metalized pads  16  provide an electrically conductive surface to which the solder paste printed on the PCB can bond once the component  10  and PCB are passed through a reflow oven. As is depicted in  FIG. 1E , each soldering pad  16  is preferably L-shaped so that it covers at least a portion of the bottom surface and outer side of the associated leg  18 . This pad shape increases the surface area of the metalized pads  16 , thereby strengthening the coupling between the metalized pads  16  and base  12 , and between the metalized pads  16  and corresponding lands on the PCB. In alternate embodiments, U-shaped pads may be used which extend across the lower surface and sides of legs  12   d - e.  Such pads provide even more surface area and connection strength between the base  12 , pads  16 , and corresponding PCB lands. In yet other embodiments, however, the component  10  may be designed without legs extending from the bottom of the base  12  and the pads  16  may be connected directly to the bottom surface  12   b  of base  12 .  
         [0038]     The inductive component  10  further includes a core  18 , which is preferably made of a magnetic material, such as ferrite. The core  18  has a bobbin structure including a cylindrical center section  18   a  with upper and lower flanges  18   b  and  18   c,  respectively, extending from the ends of the center section  18   a.  The core  18  is disposed in the aperture  14  with the first or upper flange  18   b  fitting within the inner wall  12   c  of body  12  and the second or lower flange  18   c  resting between either, or both, the legs  12   d - e  and metalized pads  16 . The core  18  is positioned so that the top of the upper flange  18   b  is about even, or coplanar, with the top surface  12   a  of body  12  and the lower surface of the lower flange  18   c  is about even, or coplanar, with the bottom surface of the legs  18   d - e  and/or metalized pads  16 . Although the core illustrated is symmetrical, it should be understood that a variety of different cores may be used, including asymmetrical cores, (e.g., cores having one flange larger in diameter than the other flange, etc.), as will be discussed in further detail below. It should be understood that in the alternate embodiment of component  10 , wherein the component has no legs, the bottom surface of the lower flange  18   c  is almost even, or coplanar, with the bottom surface  12  and/or metalized pads  16 .  
         [0039]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1D and 1E , the inner wall  12   c  created by aperture  14  includes a pair of opposed arcuate surfaces connected by opposed flat surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the opposed arcuate surfaces of inner wall  12   c  have a radius of curvature which corresponds to that of at least a portion of the core  18 , such as a portion of upper flange  18   b.  The arcuate surfaces, however, straighten at their ends and join the opposed flat surfaces of inner wall  12   c  in such a way as to leave a gap between the core  18  and the opposed flat surfaces of inner wall  12   c.  As will be discussed further below, however, the component  10  may have a variety of differently shaped bases and apertures.  
         [0040]     The inductive component  10  also includes a wire winding  20  which is wound about the center section  18   a  of the core  18 . In a preferred embodiment, the wire  20  is an insulated wire such as a forty-two gauge copper wire having ends  20   a  and  20   b  connected to the bottom of the metalized pads  16 . It should be understood, however, that any conductive material may be used for the wire and that the wire size may be selected from a variety of wire gauges. For example, a preferred component may use wire ranging from thirty-four gauge wire to forty-eight gauge wire, while alternate components use wires of different wire gauges.  
         [0041]     The ends of the wire  20   a - b  are preferably flattened (not shown) and bonded to the metalized pads  16  in order minimize the amount of space between the lower surface of the metalized pads  16  and the upper surface of the corresponding PCB lands. This helps maintain the low profile of the component  10  and also helps ensure that the component will remain co-planar when positioned on the PCB so that the pads  16  and wire ends  20   a - b  will make sufficient contact with the solder on the PCB and make solid electrical and mechanical connections to the circuit on the PCB.  
         [0042]     In alternate embodiments, the wire ends  20   a - b  may be connected to the outer side surface of L-shaped metalized pads, or inner or outer side surfaces of U-shaped metalized pads, in order to avoid disrupting the flat bottom surface of pads  16  and in order to avoid increasing the height of the component  10  and/or creating a gap between any portion of the pads  16  and the corresponding PCB lands. In yet other embodiments, notches or dimples may be present in the lower surfaces of the legs  12   d - e  and/or pads  16  in order to provide a designated location for the wire ends  20   a - b  to be bonded to the pads  16  without raising the height of the component  10  or creating a gap between the pads  16  and corresponding PCB lands.  
         [0043]     The pieces of the inductive component  10 , such as the base  12  and core  18 , are held together via film  22  which has an adhesive layer and, as illustrated, may be positioned over the top of base  12   a  and core flange  18   b.  The film  22  serves as a structural member of the component. In a preferred embodiment, the film  22  comprises a flexible member having an adhesive layer on the bottom and a printable layer on the top. Thus, in addition to keeping the pieces of the component  10  together, the film  22  provides the component manufacturer with a surface for printing indicia such as product numbers, trademarks, and other desirable information. The film  22  also establishes a generally planar top surface with which the component  10  may be picked from a tape and reel packaging and placed on a PCB using industry standard vacuum pick-and-place machinery. In a preferred embodiment, film  22  may be a polyimide film, a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) film, a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) film or the like.  
         [0044]     This component configuration allows for the pieces of component  10  to move with respect to one and other and to withstand the various stresses the component will be subjected to, such as thermal shock and cycling and mechanical shock and vibration. More particularly, the flexible film  22  provides play and space between the base  12  and core  18  so that such materials can expand and contract and shift vertically, horizontally and axially with respect to one another without damaging the component or causing a failure condition to occur. For example, film  22  allows the base  12  and core  18  to move independent of one another because there is no structure, such as a hardened body of glue, directly connecting the base  12  to the core  18 . In other words, the film  22  allows for movement of one of the pieces (e.g., base or core) without necessitating that such movement translate into movement of the other piece (e.g., core or base). Thus, during a mechanical shock or vibration test, movement of the base  12  may not always translate into movement of the core  18 , and if it does, may allow the base  12  and core  18  to move sufficiently independent of one another so that neither damage the other or cause the component  10  to crack or break.  
         [0045]     Furthermore, in the embodiment illustrated, the core  18  is connected to the film  22  and base  12  via the entire upper surface of flange  18   b,  rather than by the edge of the flange  18   b  which, as mentioned earlier, is an inherently weak portion of the core and is capable of breaking more easily due to stresses such as axial flexure. Similarly, the base  12  is connected to the film  22  and core  18  via the entire upper surface  12   a  of base  12  rather than by opposed ends of the base  12 . Thus, by increasing the surface area by which the core  18  and/or base  12  are connected in the component  10 , the connection made with these pieces is made stronger and capable of withstanding greater stress.  
         [0046]     Thus, the flexible film  22  is capable of withstanding the wide range of temperatures and other environmental conditions the component  10  will be subjected to during its lifetime. The fibrous nature of the film  22  also helps the component withstand additional stresses and environmental tests such as mechanical shock and vibration. Furthermore, the film  22  provides a uniform layer of adhesive and may be applied to the component  10  in an efficient manner. More particularly, film  22  eliminates many of the problems associated with existing adhesives, such as excessive glue application, leaking glue, glue overflow, and the like. The use of film  22  also allows the component to be manufactured more easily and efficiently via a simplified automated process.  
         [0047]     Turning now to FIGS.  2 A-I, there is illustrated an alternate embodiment of the component  10  embodying features in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, a differently shaped base is used in connection with the component  10 . For convenience, features of alternate embodiments illustrated in FIGS.  2 A-I that correspond to features already discussed with respect to the embodiments of FIGS.  1 A-H are identified using the same reference numeral in combination with an apostrophe or prime notation (′) merely to distinguish one embodiment form the other, but otherwise such features are similar.  
         [0048]     The alternate embodiment of component  10 , (hereinafter component  10 ′), includes a generally rectangular base  12 ′ which is made of an insulating material, such as a non-conductive plastic or ceramic. Like body  12  above, body  12 ′ has a polygonal shape, such as an octagon, and has a smooth planer top  12   a′  and bottom  12   b ′. The body  12 ′ further defines an aperture  14 ′ and has a pair of supports, such as legs  12   d ′ and  12   e ′, extending downward from opposite ends of the body  12 ′ which have metalized pads  16 ′ located about the bottom thereof. A core  18 ′ is disposed within the aperture  14 ′ of base  12 ′ and has a cylindrical center section  18   a ′ about which a wire  20 ′ is wound. The core  18 ′ has upper and lower flanges  18   b ′ and  18   c ′, respectively, extending from the ends of the center section  18   a ′ and is connected to the base  12 ′ and via an adhesive-type film  22 ′.  
         [0049]     Unlike the component  10  above, however, the base  12 ′ defines a generally circular aperture  14 ′ and side wall  12   c ′ within which the core  18 ′ is disposed. More particularly, in the embodiment illustrated, the aperture  14 ′ and side wall  12   c ′ have a radius of curvature and diameter which corresponds to or compliments the radius of curvature and diameter of the upper flange  18   b ′ of core  18 ′. Preferably, the flange  18   b ′ fits loosely within the aperture  14 ′ and inner wall  12   c ′ so that space is provided between the edge of the flange  18   b ′ and the inner wall  12   c ′, and the core  18 ′ is positioned such that the top of the upper flange  18   b ′ is about even, or coplanar, with the top surface  12   a ′ of body  12 ′ and the lower surface of the lower flange  18   c ′ is about even, or coplanar, with the bottom surface of either, or both, the legs  18   d ′- e ′ and metalized pads  16 ′.  
         [0050]     In addition, the inner surface of the legs  12   d ′ and  12   e ′ have arcuate portions that have a radius of curvature which corresponds to at least a portion of the radius of curvature of the core  18 ′, and more particularly to the upper flange  18   b ′. The arcuate portions allow for larger legs  12   d ′ and  12   e ′ and metalized pads  16 ′ to be used in conjunction with component  10 ′, thereby increasing the surface area with which the pads  16 ′ and legs  12   d ′- e ′ are connected and the surface area with which the pads  16 ′ and corresponding lands on the PCB are connected. As mentioned above, such an increase in surface area helps create a stronger mechanical connection or bond between these items and a better electrical connection between the component  10 ′ and the circuit of the PCB.  
         [0051]     In FIGS.  3 A-H, there is illustrated yet another embodiment of the component  10  embodying features in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, alternate metalized pads are used in connection with the component  10 . For convenience, features of alternate embodiments illustrated in FIGS.  3 A-H that correspond to features already discussed with respect to the embodiments of FIGS.  1 A-H and  2 A-I are identified using the same reference numeral in combination with a double prime notation (″) merely to distinguish one embodiment form the other, but otherwise such features are similar.  
         [0052]     In FIGS.  3 A-H, the alternate embodiment of component  10 , (hereinafter component  10 ″), includes a similar structure to that of component  10  in FIGS.  1 A-I. For example, component  10 ″ has a polygonal shaped body  12 ″ made of an insulating material. The body  12 ″ further defines an aperture  14 ″ and has a pair of supports, such as legs  12   d ″ and  12   e ″, extending downward from opposite ends of the body  12 ″. A core  18 ″ is disposed within the aperture  14 ″ of base  12 ″ and has a cylindrical center section  18   a ″ about which wire  20 ″ is wound. Like the cores discussed above, the core  18 ″ has upper and lower flanges  18   b ″ and  18   c ″, respectively, extending from the ends of the center section  18   a ″ and is connected to the base  12 ″ and via film  22 ″.  
         [0053]     One way in which the component  10 ″ differs from components  10  and  10 ′ discussed above, however, is that the metalized pads of the component  10 ″ (hereinafter  26 ) are interconnected with the body  12 ″. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the metalized pads  26  are formed like dips for engaging at least a portion of the body  12 ″ having a complimentary shape. The dip-type pads  26  may be designed to interlock with the base  12 ″ or, alternatively, may simply engage the base  12 ″ via a tongue and groove type configuration, as shown.  
         [0054]     In FIGS.  3 A-H, the C-shaped clips  26  are connected to complimentary wells or recesses  12   f  on base  12 ″ in a tongue and groove manner. The recessed portions  12   f  have alignment structures, such as end stops or walls  12   g,  which prevent the clips  26  from being misaligned on the base  12 ″. The base  12 ″, core  18 ″, wire  20 ″ and pads  26  are then connected to one another via film  22 ″ in a manner similar to that discussed above with respect to components  10  and  10 ′.  
         [0055]     In alternate embodiments, the pads  26  may be mechanically attached to the base to improve the structural connection between the pads  26  and base  12 ″. For example, the pads  26  may be mechanically crimped onto the base  12 ″ or insert molded onto the base so that at least a portion of the pad  26  is anchored to the base to prevent unwanted movement between these components. Once the pads  26  are connected to the base  12 ″ (in whichever fashion), the ends  20   a ″- b ″ of wire  20 ″ are connected to a surface of their respective pads  26  so that the component may be operated in the intended fashion.  
         [0056]     As illustrated in FIGS.  3 A-H, the ends  20   a ″- b ″ of wire  20 ″ are preferably connected to the lowermost surface of the C-shaped pads  26 . It should be understood however, that in alternate embodiments the ends  20   a ″- b ″ may be connected to the pads  26  in a variety of ways, such as for example, by connecting the ends  20   a ″- b ″ to the outermost side surface or the uppermost surface of the pads  26 . In the latter configuration, however, one must be careful not to significantly upset the generally planar top surface of the component  10 ″ so that it can be picked up and placed via industry standard equipment. Once assembled, the component  10 ″ may be electrically and mechanically connected to a PCB.  
         [0057]     Although the cores illustrated in FIGS.  1 A-H and  2 A-I are symmetrical, it should be understood that a variety of different cores may be used, including asymmetrical cores such as the core in  FIGS. 4A  B. More particularly, the core in FIGS.  4 A-B (hereinafter core  30 ) includes a cylindrical center portion  30   a  with upper and lower flanged portions  30   b  and  30   c,  respectively, extending from the ends thereof. In this asymmetrical configuration, the upper flange  30   b  is of a smaller diameter than the lower flange  30   c.  It should be understood, however, that the core  30  could be designed so that the upper flange  30   b  has a larger diameter than the lower flange  30   c,  if desired.  
         [0058]     In a preferred embodiment, the components  10 ,  10 ′ and  10 ″ are low profile surface mount components with heights ranging between 2 mm and 0.5 mm or smaller. For example, the components  10  and  10 ″ illustrated in FIGS.  1 A-H and  3 A-H may have a length of approximately 6.0 mm, a width of approximately 5.0 mm, and a height of approximately 1.0 mm. The component  10 ′ illustrated in FIGS.  2 A-I may have a length of approximately 6.3 mm, a width of approximately 5.4 mm, and a height of approximately 1 mm. It should be understood, however, that these dimensions are only exemplary and may vary individually or as a whole depending on the application for which the component is being designed. For example, the component  10 ′ illustrated in FIGS.  2 A-I may also be provided in a package having a length of approximately 4.6 mm, a width of approximately 4.3 mm, and a height of approximately 1.2 mm.  
         [0059]     Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a low profile inductive component is provided that fully satisfies the objects, aims, and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.