Patent Publication Number: US-2023138230-A1

Title: Inductor device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority benefit of TAIWAN Application serial no. 110140459, filed Oct. 29, 2021, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a device. More particularly, the invention relates to an inductor device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various types of existing inductors have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, a spiral-type inductor has a high Q value and a large mutual inductance, but the mutual inductance and coupling occur between the coils. For the 8-shaped inductor, since the directions of the induced magnetic fields of the two coils are opposite, the coupling and mutual inductance occur on the coupled magnetic field of the other coil. In addition, the 8-shaped inductor occupies a large area in the device. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of this disclosure is to provide an inductor device. The inductor device includes a first ring structure and a second ring structure. The second ring structure is disposed within the first ring structure and is paralleled to the first ring structure. The first ring structure and the second ring structure are selectively connected or unconnected. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic diagram illustrating an inductor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the inductor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic diagram illustrating another operation of the inductor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic diagram illustrating another inductor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic diagram illustrating another inductor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic diagram illustrating another inductor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic diagram illustrating another inductor device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic diagram illustrating an experimental data graph according to  FIG.  4    according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the invention. Specific examples of elements and arrangements are described lower than to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. 
     The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the invention, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the invention are discussed lower than, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the invention. 
     The term “coupled” as used herein may also refer to “electrically coupled”, and the term “connected” may also refer to “electrically connected”. “Coupled” and “connected” may also refer to Refers to two or several elements cooperating or interacting with each other. 
     Reference is made to  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  1    is a schematic diagram illustrating an inductor device  100  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The inductor device  100  includes a ring structure  110  and a ring structure  130 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , structurally, the ring structure  130  is disposed within the ring structure  110 . The ring structure  130  is paralleled to the ring structure  110 . The ring structure  110  and the ring structure  130  are selectively connected or unconnected. 
     In detail, the inductor device  100  further includes the switch  150  and the switch  160 . The switch  150  is coupled to end A 1  of the ring structure  110  and end A 2  of the ring structure  130 . The switch  160  is coupled to end D 1  of the ring structure  110  and end D 2  of the ring structure  130 . 
     When the switch  150  is conducted, end A 1  of the ring structure  110  and end A 2  of the ring structure  130  are connected through the switch  150 . When the switch  160  is conducted, end D 1  of the ring structure  110  and end D 2  of the ring structure  130  are connected through the switch  160 . In some embodiments, through the operation of the switch  150  and the switch  160 , the ring structure  110  and the ring structure  130  can be selectively made to be connected or not connected. 
     The inductor device  100  in  FIG.  1    further includes the feed points  170 A and  170 B. The feed point  170 A is coupled to the end D 1  of the ring structure  110 . The feed point  170 B is coupled to end A 1  of the ring structure  110 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the switch  150  and the switch  160  are both disposed on the X direction. In addition, the feed points  170 A and  170 B are also disposed on the X direction, but the embodiments of the present disclosure not limited thereto. In some other embodiments, the switch  150 , the switch  160 , the feed point  170 A and the feed point  170 B can be disposed in any direction. 
     The following will explain different conduction status of the switch  150  and the switch  160 . 
     Reference is made to  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3    at the same time.  FIG.  2    is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the inductor device  100  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , when the switch  150  and the switch  160  in  FIG.  1    are both conducted, the ring structure  110  and the ring structure  130  form an inductance element  210  together.  FIG.  3    is a schematic diagram illustrating another operation of the inductor device  100  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , when neither switch  150  nor switch  160  in  FIG.  1    is conducted, the ring structure  110  form an inductance element  310  by itself. 
     The width of the inductance element  210  in  FIG.  2    is twice of the width of the inductance element  310  in  FIG.  3   , and the gap between each turn of the inductance element  310  in  FIG.  3    is twice of the gap between each turn of the inductance element  210  in  FIG.  2   . In this way, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, different inductance values can be achieved by switching the switch  150  and the switch  160 . 
     Reference is made to  FIG.  1    again. In inductor device  100 , the switch  150  and the switch  160  are included. In some other embodiments, the inductor device  100  may only include the switch  150  or only includes the switch  160 . In some other embodiments, the inductor device  100  may include more switches connected to the ring structure  110  and the ring structure  130 . 
     For example, reference is made to  FIG.  4   .  FIG.  4    is a schematic diagram illustrating another inductor device  400  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In  FIG.  4   , end D 1  of the ring structure  110  and end D 2  of the ring structure  130  are connected through the switch  160 , while end A 1  of the ring structure  110  and end A 2  of the ring structure  130  are connected directly or through the metal part  450 . In the embodiments mentioned above, the width of the ring structure of the inductor device  100  or the gap between the ring structures can be changed by whether the switch  160  is conducted or not, so as to change the inductance value of the inductor device  100 . 
     For another example, reference is made to  FIG.  5   .  FIG.  5    is a schematic diagram illustrating another inductor device  500  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In  FIG.  5   , end A 1  of the ring structure  110  and end A 2  of the ring structure  130  are connected through the switch  150 , while end D 1  of the ring structure  110  and end D 2  of the ring structure  130  are connected directly or through the metal part  560 . In the embodiments mentioning above, the width of the ring structure of the inductor device  100  or the gap between the ring structures can be changed by whether the switch  150  is conducted or not, so as to change the inductance value of the inductor device  100 . 
     In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the switch  150  and the switch  160  can be selectively connected to different positions of the ring structure  110  and the ring structure  130 . The connection positions of the switch  150  and the switch  160  are not limited by the positions mentioning above. 
     Reference is made to  FIG.  1    again. As shown in  FIG.  1   , the ring structure  110  includes a semicircular structure  110 A from end A 1  to end B 1 , a semicircular structure  110 B from end B 1  to end Cl, and a semicircular structure  110 C from end C 1  to end D 1 . Likewise, the ring structure  130  includes a semicircular structure  130 A from end A 2  to end B 2 , a semicircular structure  130 B from end B 2  to end C 2 , and a semicircular structure  130 C from end C 2  to end D 2 . 
     The semicircular structure  110 A is connected to the semicircular structure  110 B, and the semicircular structure  110 B is connected to the semicircular structure  110 C. Similarly, the semicircular structure  130 A is connected to the semicircular structure  130 B, and the semicircular structure  130 B is connected to the semicircular structure  130 C. In addition, the semicircular structure  110 A is paralleled to the semicircular structure  110 C, and the semicircular structure  130 A is paralleled to the semicircular structure  130 C. 
     In the inductor device  100  as shown in  FIG.  1   , one end of the switch  150  is coupled to the end A 1  of the semicircular structure  110 A, and the other end of the switch  150  is coupled to the end A 2  of the semicircular structure  130 A. One end of the switch  160  is coupled to the end D 1  of the semicircular structure  110 C, and the other end of the switch  160  is coupled to the end D 2  of the semicircular structure  130 C. 
     Reference is made to  FIG.  6   .  FIG.  6    is a schematic diagram illustrating another inductor device  600  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the ring structure  610  in  FIG.  6    includes the semicircular structures  610 A,  610 B,  610 C,  610 D,  610 E,  610 F, and  610 G. The semicircular structure  610 A is connected to the semicircular structure  610 B, the semicircular structure  610 B is connected to the semicircular structure  610 C, the semicircular structure  610 C is connected to the semicircular structure  610 D, the semicircular structure  610 D is connected to the semicircular structure  610 E, the semicircular structure  610 E is connected to the semicircular structure  610 F, and the semicircular structure  610 F is connected to the semicircular structure  610 G. The semicircular structure  610 A, the semicircular structure  610 C, and the semicircular structure  610 E are paralleled to the semicircular structure  610 G, and the semicircular structure  610 B, the semicircular structure  610 D are paralleled to the semicircular structure  610 F. The semicircular structure  610 A extends from end  6 A 1  to end  6 B 1 , the semicircular structure  610 B extends from end  6 B 1  to end  6 C 1 , the semicircular structure  610 C extends from end  6 C 1  to end  6 D 1 , the semicircular structure  610 D extends from end  6 D 1  to end  6 E 1 , the semicircular structure  610 E extends from end  6 E 1  to end  6 F 1 , the semicircular structure  610 F extends from end  6 F 1  to end  6 G 1 , and the semicircular structure  610 G extends from end  6 G 1  to end  6 H 1 . 
     Furthermore, the ring structure  630  in  FIG.  6    includes the semicircular structures  630 A,  630 B,  630 C, and  630 D. The semicircular structure  630 A is connected to the semicircular structure  630 B, the semicircular structure  630 B is connected to the semicircular structure  630 C, and the semicircular structure  630 C is connected to semicircular structure  630 D. The semicircular structure  630 A and the semicircular structure  630 C are paralleled, and the semicircular structure  630 B and the semicircular structure  630 D are paralleled. The semicircular structure  630 A extends from end  6 A 2  to end  6 B 2 , the semicircular structure  630 B extends from end  6 B 2  to end  6 C 2 , and the semicircular structure  630 C extends from end  6 C 2  to end  6 D 2 . 
     In  FIG.  6   , end  6 A 1  of the semicircular structure  610 A and end  6 A 2  of the semicircular structure  630 A are directly connected or are connected through the metal part  650 . The inductor device  600  further includes the switch  660 . One end of the switch  660  is connected to the end  6 D 1  of the semicircular structure  610 C of the ring structure  610 , and the other end of the switch  660  is connected to the end  6 D 2  of the semicircular structure  630 C of the ring structure  630 . In addition,  FIG.  6    further includes the feed points  670 A and  670 B. 
     The number and connection method of the switches  660  shown in  FIG.  6    are only used for illustration purpose, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The width of the ring structure of the inductor device  600  or the gap between the ring structures can be changed to change the inductance value of the inductor device  600  by whether the switch  660  is conducted or not. 
     Reference is made to  FIG.  7   .  FIG.  7    is a schematic diagram illustrating another inductor device  700  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The difference between the inductor device  700  illustrated in  FIG.  7    and the inductor device  600  illustrated in  FIG.  6    is that the inductor device  700  further includes a switch  760 . One end of the switch  760  is connected to the end  6 D 2  of the semicircular structure  630 C of the ring structure  630 , and the other end of the switch  760  is connected to the end  6 F 1  of the semicircular structure  610 E of the ring structure  610 . 
     The number and connection method of the switch  660  and the switch  760  shown in  FIG.  7    are only for illustration purpose only, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The width of the ring structure of the inductor device  700  or the gap between the ring structures can be changed to change the inductance value of the inductor device  700  by whether the switch  660  and the switch  760  are conducted or not. The switch  660  and the switch  760  can be conducted at the same time, or can be not conducted at the same time, one is conducted and another one is not conducted. In different conduction situations, the inductor device  700  includes different inductance values. 
     Reference is made to  FIG.  4    again. The following will take switch  160  in  FIG.  4    as an example to illustrate the connection between the switch and the ring structure. For example, in some embodiments, after the feed point  170  is pulled in by the cross-layer, a through hole is punched at end D 1 . The feed point  170  is connected to the switch  160  via the through hole on the end D 1 . The switch  160  is then connected to the end D 2  on the bottom layer. The connection method of the other switches is similar to that of the switch  160 , and will not be described in detail herein. 
     In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the ring structure can be an octagonal structure, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The ring structure can also be implemented by other polygonal structures, such as quadrilateral structures, hexagonal structures, etc. 
     It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the switches  150  and  160  can be controlled together, or both can be a single-connected device, and can be controlled separately, depending on the actual requirements. Likewise, switches  660  and  670  can be controlled together, or both can be single-linked devices and can be controlled separately. 
     Reference is made to  FIG.  8   .  FIG.  8    is a schematic diagram illustrating an experimental data graph according to  FIG.  4    according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The curve L 1  is the inductance value of the inductor device  400  when the switch  160  is not conducted, the curve Q 1  is the Q (quality) value of inductor device  400  when the switch  160  is not conducted, the curve L 2  is the inductance value of the inductor device  400  when the switch  160  is conducted, the curve Q 1  is the Q (quality) value of the inductor device  400  when the switch  160  is conducted. As can be seen from  FIG.  8   , when the switch  160  is not conducted, the inductance value of the inductor device  400  is larger than that of inductor device  400  when the switch  160  is conducted, and the Q value of the inductor device  400  when the switch  160  is not conducted is higher the Q value of the inductor device  400  when the switch  160  is conducted. It can be seen from  FIG.  8    that the inductance value and the Q value of the inductor device  400  can be changed by adjusting whether the switch  160  is conducted or not. 
     The inductor device of the embodiments can be operated by switches, so that the inductor device can provide different inductance values and Q values. 
     Various functional elements are disclosed herein. To those of ordinary skill in the art, functional elements may be implemented by electrical circuits, whether it is a dedicated circuit, or a general-purpose circuit operating under the control of one or several processors and coded instructions. 
     In addition, the above illustrations comprise sequential demonstration operations, but the operations need not be performed in the order shown. The execution of the operations in a different order is within the scope of this disclosure. In the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the operations may be increased, substituted, changed and/or omitted as the case may be. 
     The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.