Patent Publication Number: US-11387036-B2

Title: Inductor device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/826,286, filed on Mar. 29, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/871,263, filed on Jul. 8, 2019, and Taiwan Application Serial Number 108145177, filed on Dec. 10, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth below in its entirety and for all applicable purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to an electronic device. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an inductor device. 
     Description of Related Art 
     The various types of inductors according to the prior art have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, a spiral inductor has a higher Q value and a larger mutual inductance. However, its mutual inductance value and coupling are both occurred between the coils. For an eight-shaped inductor which has two sets of coils, the coupling between the two sets of coils is relatively low. However, an eight-shaped inductor occupies a larger area in a device. In addition, although a traditional stacked eight-shaped inductor has better symmetry, its inductance value per unit area is lower. Therefore, the scopes of application of the above inductors are limited. 
     For the foregoing reasons, there is a need to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing an inductor device. 
     SUMMARY 
     The foregoing presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identify key/critical elements of the present disclosure or delineate the scope of the present disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     One objective of the present disclosure is to provide an inductor device to resolve the problems of the prior art. The means of solution are described as follows. 
     One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an inductor device. The inductor device includes a first wire, a second wire, a third wire, a fourth wire, and an eight-shaped inductor structure. The first wire includes at least two first sub-wires. The second wire includes at least two second sub-wires. The third wire includes at least two third sub-wires. The fourth wire includes at least two fourth sub-wires. The first wire is disposed in a first area. The second wire disposed in a second area. The third wire is disposed in the first area and at least partially overlapped with the first wire in a vertical direction. The fourth wire is disposed in the second area and at least partially overlapped with the second wire in the vertical direction. The eight-shaped inductor structure is disposed on an outer side of the third wire and the fourth wire. 
     Therefore, based on the technical content of the present disclosure, the inductor device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has better symmetry in structure. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are by examples, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, 
         FIG. 1  depicts a schematic diagram of an inductor device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the inductor device shown in  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the inductor device shown in  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 4  depicts a schematic diagram of experimental data of an inductor device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     According to the usual mode of operation, various features and elements in the figures have not been drawn to scale, which are drawn to the best way to present specific features and elements related to the disclosure. In addition, among the different figures, the same or similar element symbols refer to similar elements/components. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     To make the contents of the present disclosure more thorough and complete, the following illustrative description is given with regard to the implementation aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The features of the embodiments and the steps of the method and their sequences that constitute and implement the embodiments are described. However, other embodiments may be used to achieve the same or equivalent functions and step sequences. 
     Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terminologies employed in the present disclosure shall have the meanings that are commonly understood and used by one of ordinary skill in the art. Unless otherwise required by context, it will be understood that singular terms shall include plural forms of the same and plural terms shall include the singular. Specifically, as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a” and “an” include the plural reference unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a schematic diagram of an inductor device  1000  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The inductor device  1000  includes a first wire  1110 , a second wire  1120 , a third wire  1210 , a fourth wire  1220 , and an eight-shaped inductor structure  1200 . The eight-shaped inductor structure  1200  is an outermost inductor wire (a wire portion shown by a dotted line) of the inductor device  1000 . That is to say, the eight-shaped inductor structure  1200  is disposed on an outer side of the third wire  1210  and the fourth wire  1220 . The first wire  1110  and the second wire  1120  are partially overlapped with the third wire  1210  and the fourth wire  1220 , and the first wire  1110  and the second wire  1120  are disposed inside the eight-shaped inductor structure  1200 . 
     To facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, the inductor device  1000  shown in  FIG. 1  is divided into a partial structure  1100  of the inductor device  1000  shown in  FIG. 2  and a partial structure  120  of the inductor device  1000  shown in  FIG. 3 . The partial structure  120  includes the eight-shaped inductor structure  1200 , the third wire  1210 , and the fourth wire  1220 . A description is provided with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 . The first wire  1110  includes at least two first sub-wires  1112 ,  1114 . The second wire  1120  includes at least two second sub-wires  1122 ,  1124 . The third wire  1210  includes at least two third sub-wires  1212 ,  1214 . The fourth wire  1220  includes at least two fourth sub-wires  1222 ,  1224 . The first wire  1110  is disposed in a first area  1400 . The second wire  1120  is disposed in a second area  1500 . For example, the first area  1400  is located on an upper side of the inductor device  1000 , and the second area  1500  is located on a lower side of the inductor device  1000 . A detailed structure and connection relationships are provided one by one as follows. 
     A description is provided with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 . The third wire  1210  is disposed in the first area  1400  and at least partially overlapped with the first wire  1110  in a vertical direction. That is to say, the third wire  1210  is disposed above or below the first wire  1110  in the vertical direction. The fourth wire  1220  is disposed in the second area  1500  and at least partially overlapped with the second wire  1120  in the vertical direction. That is to say, the fourth wire  1220  is disposed above or below the second wire  1120  in the vertical direction. 
     In one embodiment, one of the at least two first sub-wires  1112 ,  1114  is coupled to one of the at least two third sub-wires  1212 ,  1214 . For example, the first sub-wire  1112  is coupled to the third sub-wire  1212  at a connection point A, and the first sub-wire  1114  is coupled to the third sub-wire  1214  at a connection point B. In addition, the first sub-wire  1112  and the third sub-wire  1212  may be coupled through a vertical connector (i.e., a via) at the connection point A in a top-view direction of the inductor device  1000 . Additionally, the first sub-wire  1114  and the third sub-wire  1214  may be coupled through a vertical connector at the connection point B in the top-view direction of the inductor device  1000 . However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above connection method. Those skilled in the art may design the connection method depending on practical needs. 
     In another embodiment, one of the at least two second sub-wires  1122 ,  1124  is coupled to one of the at least two fourth sub-wires  1222 ,  1224 . For example, the second sub-wire  1122  is coupled to the fourth sub-wire  1222  at a connection point C, and the second sub-wire  1124  is coupled to the fourth sub-wire  1224  at a connection point D. In addition to that, the second sub-wire  1122  and the fourth sub-wire  1222  may be coupled through a vertical connector at the connection point C in the top-view direction of the inductor device  1000 . In addition, the second sub-wire  1124  and the fourth sub-wire  1224  may be coupled through a vertical connector at the connection point D in the top-view direction of the inductor device  1000 . However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above connection method. Those skilled in the art may design the connection method depending on practical needs. 
     In still another embodiment, one of the at least two first sub-wires  1112 ,  1114  is coupled to one of the at least two second sub-wires  1122 ,  1124 . For example, the first sub-wire  1112  is coupled to a connector  1230  at a connection point E, and is coupled to the second sub-wire  1124  at a connection point F through the connector  1230 . The first sub-wire  1114  is coupled to a connector  1240  at a connection point G. The connector  1240  is coupled to a connector  1250  through a connector  1130 , and is coupled to the second sub-wire  1122  at a connection point H. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above connection method. Those skilled in the art may design the connection method depending on practical needs. 
     A description is provided with reference to  FIG. 2 . In one embodiment, each of the at least two first sub-wires  1112 ,  1114  is wound into a plurality of turns. For example, the first sub-wire  1112  may be wound into a plurality of turns. In addition, the first sub-wire  1114  may be wound into a plurality of turns. However, the first sub-wires  1112 ,  1114  of the present disclosure are not limited to the numbers of turns shown in the figure. Those skilled in this art may design the numbers of turns depending on practical needs. In another embodiment, the at least two first sub-wires  1112 ,  1114  are not directly coupled to each other. That is to say, the at least two first sub-wires  1112  and  1114  are not coupled to each other without additional connector and/or wire. 
     A description is provided with reference to  FIG. 2 . In another embodiment, each of the at least two second sub-wires  1122 ,  1144  is wound into a plurality of turns. For example, the second sub-wire  1122  may be wound into a plurality of turns. Additionally, the second sub-wire  1124  may be wound into a plurality of turns. However, the second sub-wires  1122 ,  1124  of the present disclosure are not limited to the numbers of turns shown in the figure. Those skilled in this art may design the numbers of turns depending on practical needs. In still another embodiment, the at least two second sub-wires  1122 ,  1124  are not directly coupled to each other. 
     A description is provided with reference to  FIG. 3 . In one embodiment, each of the at least two third sub-wires  1212 ,  1214  is wound into a plurality of turns. For example, the third sub-wire  1212  may be wound into a plurality of turns. In addition to that, the third sub-wire  1214  may be wound into a plurality of turns. However, the third sub-wires  1212 ,  1214  of the present disclosure are not limited to the numbers of turns shown in the figure. Those skilled in this art may design the numbers of turns depending on practical needs. In another embodiment, the at least two third sub-wires  1212 ,  1214  are directly coupled to each other. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the third sub-wires  1212 ,  1214  are directly coupled on an upper side of the figure. 
     A description is provided with reference to  FIG. 3 . In another embodiment, each of the at least two fourth sub-wires  1222 ,  1224  is wound into a plurality of turns. For example, the fourth sub-wire  1222  may be wound into a plurality of turns. In addition, the fourth sub-wire  1224  may be wound into a plurality of turns. However, the fourth sub-wires  1222 ,  1224  of the present disclosure are not limited to the numbers of turns shown in the figure. Those skilled in this art may design the numbers of turns depending on practical needs. In still another embodiment, the at least two fourth sub-wires  1222 ,  1224  are not directly coupled to each other. 
     A description is provided with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 . One of the at least two third sub-wires  1212 ,  1214  is coupled with one of the at least two first sub-wires  1112 ,  1114  on a first side of the first area  1400  in an interlaced manner, and another one of the at least two third sub-wires  1212 ,  1214  is coupled with another one of the at least two first sub-wires  1112 ,  1114  on a second side of the first area  1400  in an interlaced manner. In one embodiment, the first side of the first area  1400  is opposite to the second side of the first area  1400 . For example, the third sub-wire  1212  is coupled with the first sub-wire  1112  on a left side of the first area  1400  in an interfaced manner, and the third sub-wire  1214  is coupled with the first sub-wire  1114  on a right side of the first area  1400  in an interlaced manner. 
     In one embodiment, the third wire  1210  is disposed above the first wire  1110  or disposed below the first wire  1110 . In other words, the third wire  1210  partially overlaps the first wire  1110  in the top-view direction of the inductor device  1000 . 
     A description is provided with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 . One of the at least two fourth sub-wires  1222 ,  1224  is coupled with one of the at least two second sub-wires  1122 ,  1124  on a first side of the second area  1500  in an interlaced manner, and another one of the at least two fourth sub-wires  1222 ,  1224  is coupled with another one of the at least two second sub-wires  1122 ,  1124  on a second side of the second area  1500  in an interlaced manner. In one embodiment, the first side of the second area  1500  is opposite to the second side of the second area  1500 . For example, the fourth sub-wire  1222  is coupled with the second sub-wire  1122  on a left side of the second area  1500  in an interlaced manner, and the fourth sub-wire  1224  is coupled with the second sub-wire  1124  on a right side of the second area  1500  in an interlaced manner. 
     In one embodiment, the fourth wire  1220  is disposed above the second wire  1120  or disposed below the second wire  1120 . In other words, the fourth wire  1220  partially overlaps the second wire  1120  in the top-view direction of the inductor device  1000 . 
     In another embodiment, the first wire  1110  and the second wire  1120  are located on a same layer, and the third wire  1210  and the fourth wire  1220  are located on a same layer. Additionally, the first wire  1110  is located on a different layer from the third wire  1210 , and the second wire  1120  is located on a different layer from the fourth wire  1220 . 
     A description is provided with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 . The inductor device  1000  further includes an input terminal  1600 . The input terminal  1600  is disposed on one side (i.e., a lower side in the figure) of the second area  1500 . In addition to that, the inductor device  1000  further includes a center-tapped terminal  1700 . The center-tapped terminal  1700  is disposed on one side (i.e., an upper side in the figure) of the first area  1400 . In one embodiment, if a vertical line located at a center of the inductor device  1000  is used as a reference, a left-sided structure and a right-sided structure of the inductor device  1000  are completely symmetrical in the top-view direction of the inductor device  1000 . In addition, if a horizontal line located at the center of the inductor device  1000  is used as a reference, an upper-sided structure and a lower-sided structure of the inductor device  1000  are completely symmetrical except for the difference between the input terminal  1600  and the center-tapped terminal  1700 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a schematic diagram of experimental data of the inductor device  1000  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, with the structural configuration according to the present disclosure in the differential mode, the experimental curve of the quality factor is Q and the experimental curve of the inductance value is L. As shown in the figure, the inductor device  1000  adopting the structure of the present disclosure has a better inductance value per unit area. For example, the inductor device  1000  has an inductance value that can reach about 5.4 nH and a quality factor (Q) of about 5.4 at a frequency of 2.5 GHz within an area of 90 um*90 um. 
     It can be understood from the embodiments of the present disclosure that application of the present disclosure has the following advantages. The inductor device shown in the embodiment of the present disclosure has better symmetry in structure. As shown in  FIG. 1 , if the vertical line is used as a reference, the left-sided structure and the right-sided structure of the inductor device  1000  are completely symmetrical in the top-view direction of the inductor device  1000 . Additionally, if the horizontal line is used as a reference, the upper-sided structure and the lower-sided structure of the inductor device  1000  are nearly completely symmetrical. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.