PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10256036-B2
Application Number: US-201715405027-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Magnetic field containment inductors

Abstract:
A system includes a circuit board, an inductor including windings mounted on the circuit board, and a plurality of magnetic field containment devices. Each magnetic field containment device includes an independent electrical circuit that is not directly electrically connected via a conductor to any other magnetic field containment device. Each magnetic field containment device also includes a material of a certain relative permeability. Each magnetic field containment device at least partially surrounds the inductor and, in operation, at least partially contains a magnetic B-Field generated by electrical current in the windings of the inductor. The plurality of magnetic field containment devices, in operation, enables a certain saturation current in the inductor.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system comprising:
 an inductor comprising an inner surface and an outer surface; 
 a plurality of magnetic field containment devices that at least partially surround the inductor, and, in operation, contain approximately 50 percent of a magnetic B-Field generated by electrical current in the inductor, wherein the plurality of magnetic field containment devices comprises:
 a first magnetic field containment device comprising a first top portion coupled to a first bottom portion via a first inner pillar and a first outer pillar, wherein the first top portion, the first bottom portion, the first inner pillar, and the first outer pillar, enclose a first portion of the inductor along a first transverse plane of the inductor; and 
 a second magnetic field containment device not electrically connected to the first magnetic field containment device via any conductor, wherein the second magnetic field containment device comprises a second top portion coupled to a second bottom portion via a second inner pillar, an intermediate pillar, and a second outer pillar, wherein the second top portion, the second bottom portion, the second inner pillar, the intermediate pillar, and the second outer pillar, enclose a second portion of the inductor along a second transverse plane of the inductor. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of magnetic field containment devices comprises:
 a third magnetic field containment device of the plurality of magnetic field containment devices comprises a third top portion coupled to a third bottom portion via a third inner pillar, a third outer pillar, a fourth outer pillar, and a fifth outer pillar, wherein:
 the third top portion, the third bottom portion, the third inner pillar, and the third outer pillar enclose a third portion of the inductor along a third transverse plane of the inductor; 
 the third top portion, the third bottom portion, the third inner pillar, and the fourth outer pillar enclose a fourth portion of the inductor along a fourth transverse plane of the inductor; and 
 the third top portion, the third bottom portion, the third inner pillar, and the fifth outer pillar enclose a fifth portion of the inductor along a fifth transverse plane of the inductor. 
 
 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inductor comprises a conductor, wherein each magnetic field containment device of the plurality of magnetic field containment devices comprises a relative permeability between 10 to 10000. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein each magnetic field containment device of the plurality of magnetic field containment devices comprises a relative permeability of approximately 80 to 200. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of magnetic field containment devices, in operation, enables a saturation current in the inductor that is greater or equal to 75 percent of the saturation current in the inductor when not at least partially surrounded by the plurality of magnetic field containment devices. 
     
     
       6. A system comprising:
 a circuit board; 
 an inductor mounted on the circuit board, wherein the inductor comprises a conductor, wherein the conductor is wound in a toroid shape; 
 a plurality of magnetic field containment devices at least partially surrounding the inductor, wherein at least two of the plurality of magnetic field containment devices are not electrically connected to one another via any conductor, wherein at least one magnetic field containment device of the plurality of magnetic field containment devices comprises:
 a relative permeability of approximately between 10 and 10000; and 
 a top portion coupled to a bottom portion via an inner pillar, an intermediate pillar, and an outer pillar, wherein the top portion, the bottom portion, the intermediate pillar, and the outer pillar, enclose a portion of the inductor along a transverse plane of the inductor. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the inductor comprises an approximately round shape. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the inductor comprises an approximately rectangular shape. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the inductor is continuous. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the inductor is not continuous.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/385,164, filed Sep. 8, 2016, entitled “Magnetic Field Containment Inductors,” the contents of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to power supply circuitry of an electronic device, and more particularly to containing a magnetic B-Field of an inductor of switching power supply circuitry. 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Switching power supply circuitry is typically used in electronic devices for energy storage and conversion. Performance of an inductor of the switching power supply circuitry increases with higher saturation current in the inductor. In operation, the inductor emits a magnetic field that may disrupt neighboring circuit components. The magnetic field of the inductor may be contained using a structure made of a high relative permeability with sufficiently thick walls. However, employing such a structure will lower the saturation current of the inductor, reducing the performance of the inductor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electronic device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a notebook computer representing an embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a handheld device representing another embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of another handheld device representing another embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a desktop computer representing another embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a wearable electronic device representing another embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a schematic diagram of a portion of an example of switching power supply circuitry of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7B  is a schematic diagram of a portion of another example of switching power supply circuitry of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7C  is a schematic diagram of a portion of yet another example of switching power supply circuitry of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram of a B-Field generated by electrical current flowing in a conductor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram of an eddy current and opposing B-Field generated by the B-Field of  FIG. 8 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10A  is a diagram of an eddy current and opposing B-Field generated by the B-Field of  FIG. 8 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10B  is a diagram of eddy currents and opposing B-Fields generated by the B-Field of  FIG. 10A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11A  is a diagram of magnetic field containment of magnetic field containment devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11B  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of magnetic field containment devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11C  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of magnetic field containment devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11D  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of magnetic field containment devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12A  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of the magnetic field containment devices of  FIG. 11A  that includes an inner reluctance path, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12B  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of the magnetic field containment devices of  FIG. 11B  that includes an inner reluctance path, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12C  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of the magnetic field containment devices of  FIG. 11C  that includes an inner reluctance path, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12D  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of the magnetic field containment devices of  FIG. 11D  that includes an inner reluctance path, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of the magnetic field containment devices of  FIG. 11A  that includes an inner reluctance path and an outer reluctance path, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14A  is a diagram of a perspective view of a configuration of multiple magnetic field containment devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14B  is a diagram of a top view of the configuration of multiple magnetic field containment devices of  FIG. 14A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14C  is a diagram of a bottom view of the configuration of multiple magnetic field containment devices of  FIG. 14A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14D  is a diagram of a side view of the configuration of multiple magnetic field containment devices of  FIG. 14A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15A  is a diagram of a perspective view of a configuration of multiple magnetic field containment devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15B  is a perspective diagram of a cross-sectional view of the configuration of multiple magnetic field containment devices of  FIG. 15A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram of a perspective view of a configuration of multiple magnetic field containment devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram of a perspective view of a configuration of multiple magnetic field containment devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram of a perspective view of a configuration of multiple magnetic field containment devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
     The disclosed embodiments relate to systems and devices for at least partially containing a magnetic field of an inductor with magnetic field containment devices that enable a desired saturation current in the inductor. A relative permeability and dimensional reluctance of a magnetic field containment device affect a degree of containment of the magnetic field and saturation current of a portion of the inductor at least partially surrounded by the magnetic field containment device. Varying a material composition and/or structural characteristics of the magnetic field containment device may adjust the relative permeability and/or dimensional reluctance of the magnetic field containment device. The relative permeability and/or dimensional reluctance of the magnetic field containment device affects containment of the magnetic field and saturation current of the portion of the inductor at least partially surrounded by the magnetic field containment device. 
     With the preceding in mind, a general description of suitable electronic devices that may include and use the inductor and corresponding magnetic field containment devices is provided.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electronic device  10 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic device  10  may include, among other things, one or more processor(s)  12 , memory  14 , storage or nonvolatile memory  16 , a display  18 , input structures  22 , an input/output (I/O) interface  24 , network interface  26 , and a power source  28  that includes switching power supply circuitry  29 . The various functional blocks shown in  FIG. 1  may include hardware elements (including circuitry), software elements (including computer code stored on a computer-readable medium), or a combination of both hardware and software elements. It should be noted that  FIG. 1  is merely one example of a particular implementation and is intended to illustrate the types of components that may be present in electronic device  10 . 
     By way of example, the electronic device  10  may represent a block diagram of a notebook computer  30 A depicted in  FIG. 2 , handheld devices  30 B,  30 C depicted in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , a desktop computer  30 D depicted in  FIG. 5 , a wearable electronic device  30 E depicted in  FIG. 6 , or similar devices. It should be noted that the processor(s)  12  and/or other data processing circuitry may be generally referred to herein as “data processing circuitry.” Such data processing circuitry may be embodied wholly or in part as software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the data processing circuitry may be a single contained processing module or may be incorporated wholly or partially within any of the other elements within the electronic device  10 . 
     In the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1 , the processor(s)  12  and/or other data processing circuitry may be operably coupled with the memory  14  and the nonvolatile storage  16  to perform various algorithms. Such programs or instructions executed by the processor(s)  12  may be stored in any suitable article of manufacture or computer program product that includes one or more tangible, computer-readable media at least collectively storing the instructions or routines, such as the memory  14  and the nonvolatile storage  16 . The memory  14  and the nonvolatile storage  16  may include any suitable articles of manufacture for storing data and executable instructions, such as random-access memory, read-only memory, rewritable flash memory, hard drives, and optical discs. Also, programs (e.g., an operating system) encoded on the memory  14  or the nonvolatile storage  16  may also include instructions that may be executed by the processor(s)  12  to enable the electronic device  10  to provide various functionalities. 
     In certain embodiments, the display  18  may be a liquid crystal display (e.g., LCD), which may allow users to view images generated on the electronic device  10 . In some embodiments, the display  18  may include a touch screen, which may allow users to interact with a user interface of the electronic device  10 . Furthermore, it should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the display  18  may include one or more light emitting diode (e.g., LED, OLED, AMOLED, etc.) displays, or some combination of LCD panels and LED panels. 
     The input structures  22  of the electronic device  10  may enable a user to interact with the electronic device  10  (e.g., pressing a button to increase or decrease a volume level). The I/O interface  24  may enable electronic device  10  to interface with various other electronic devices. The I/O interface  24  may include various communications interfaces, such as universal serial bus (USB) ports, serial communications ports (e.g., RS232), Apple&#39;s Lightning® connector, or other communications interfaces. The network interface  26  may also enable electronic device  10  to interface with various other electronic devices and may include, for example, interfaces for a personal area network (e.g., PAN), such as a Bluetooth network, for a local area network (e.g., LAN) or wireless local area network (e.g., WLAN), such as an 802.11x Wi-Fi network, and/or for a wide area network (e.g., WAN), such as a 3 rd  generation (e.g., 3G) cellular network, 4 th  generation (e.g., 4G) cellular network, or long term evolution (e.g., LTE) cellular network. The network interface  26  may include an interface for, for example, broadband fixed wireless access networks (e.g., WiMAX), mobile broadband Wireless networks (e.g., mobile WiMAX), asynchronous digital subscriber lines (e.g., ADSL, VDSL), digital video broadcasting-terrestrial (DVB-T) and its extension DVB Handheld (DVB-H), ultra Wideband (UWB), alternating current (AC) power lines, and so forth. 
     As further illustrated, the electronic device  10  may include a power source  28 . The power source  28  may include any suitable source of power, such as a rechargeable lithium polymer (e.g., Li-poly) battery and/or an alternating current (e.g., AC) power converter. The power source  28  may be removable, such as replaceable battery cell. The power source  28  may also include or be coupled to the switching power supply circuitry  29 , which may be used to store and converting energy of the electronic device  10 . As will be discussed further below, the switching power supply circuitry  29  may include an inductor and corresponding magnetic field containment devices. Although the inductor of the switching power supply circuitry  29  may emit a magnetic B-field that could interfere with other components of the electronic device  10 , the magnetic field containment devices of the switching power supply circuitry  29  may contain the magnetic field emitted by the inductor, while enabling a desired saturation current of the inductor. 
     In certain embodiments, the electronic device  10  may take the form of a computer, a portable electronic device, a wearable electronic device, or other type of electronic device. Such computers may include computers that are generally portable (e.g., such as laptop, notebook, and tablet computers) as well as computers that are generally used in one place (e.g., such as conventional desktop computers, workstations and/or servers). In certain embodiments, the electronic device  10  in the form of a computer may be a model of a MacBook®, MacBook® Pro, MacBook Air®, iMac®, Mac® mini, or Mac Pro® available from Apple Inc. By way of example, the electronic device  10 , taking the form of the notebook computer  30 A, is illustrated in  FIG. 2  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The depicted computer  30 A may include a housing or enclosure  32 , a display  18 , input structures  22 , and ports of the I/O interface  24 . In one embodiment, the input structures  22  (e.g., such as a keyboard and/or touchpad) may be used to interact with the computer  30 A, such as to start, control, or operate a GUI or applications running on computer  30 A. For example, a keyboard and/or touchpad may allow a user to navigate a user interface or application interface displayed on display  18 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a front view of a handheld device  30 B, which represents an embodiment of the electronic device  10 . The handheld device  30 B may represent, for example, a portable phone, a media player, a personal data organizer, a handheld game platform, or any combination of such devices. By way of example, the handheld device  30 B may be a model of an iPod® or iPhone® available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.  FIG. 4  depicts a front view of another handheld device  30 C, which represents another embodiment of the electronic device  10 . The handheld device  30 C may represent, for example, a tablet computer, or one of various portable computing devices. By way of example, the handheld device  30 C may be a tablet-sized embodiment of the electronic device  10 , which may be, for example, a model of an iPad® available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. 
     The handheld devices  30 B and  30 C may each include similar components. For example, an enclosure  36  may protect interior components from physical damage and to shield them from electromagnetic interference. The enclosure  36  may surround the display  18 , which may display indicator icons  39 . The indicator icons  39  may indicate, among other things, a cellular signal strength, Bluetooth connection, and/or battery life. The I/O interfaces  24  may open through the enclosure  36  and may include, for example, an I/O port for a hard wired connection for charging and/or content manipulation using a connector and protocol, such as the Lightning connector provided by Apple Inc., a universal service bus (e.g., USB), one or more conducted radio frequency connectors, or other connectors and protocols. 
     User input structures  22 ,  40 , in combination with the display  18 , may allow a user to control the handheld devices  30 B or  30 C. For example, the input structure  40  may activate or deactivate the handheld device  30 B or  30 C, one of the input structures  22  may navigate a user interface of the handheld device  30 B or  30 C to a home screen, a user-configurable application screen, and/or activate a voice-recognition feature of the handheld device  30 B or  30 C, while other of the input structures  22  may provide volume control, or may toggle between vibrate and ring modes. In the case of the handheld device  30 B, additional input structures  22  may also include a microphone may obtain a user&#39;s voice for various voice-related features, and a speaker to allow for audio playback and/or certain phone capabilities. The input structures  22  may also include a headphone input to provide a connection to external speakers and/or headphones. 
     Turning to  FIG. 5 , a computer  30 D may represent another embodiment of the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1 . The computer  30 D may take any suitable form of computer, such as a desktop computer, a server, or a notebook computer, but may also be a standalone media player or video gaming machine. By way of example, the computer  30 D may be an iMac®, a MacBook®, or other similar device by Apple Inc. It should be noted that the computer  30 D may also represent a personal computer (e.g., PC) by another manufacturer. A similar enclosure  36  may be provided to protect and enclose internal components of the computer  30 D such as a dual-layer display. In certain embodiments, a user of the computer  30 D may interact with the computer  30 D using various peripheral input devices, such as input structures  22  (e.g., the keyboard or mouse  38 ), which may connect to the computer  30 D via a wired and/or wireless I/O interface  24 . 
     Similarly,  FIG. 6  depicts a wearable electronic device  30 E representing another embodiment of the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1  that may be configured to operate using the techniques described herein. By way of example, the wearable electronic device  30 E, which may include a wristband  44 , may be an Apple Watch® by Apple, Inc. However, in other embodiments, the wearable electronic device  30 E may include any wearable electronic device such as, for example, a wearable exercise monitoring device (e.g., pedometer, accelerometer, heart rate monitor), or other device by another manufacturer. The display  18  of the wearable electronic device  30 E may include a touch screen (e.g., LCD, OLED display, active-matrix organic light emitting diode (e.g., AMOLED) display, and so forth), which may allow users to interact with a user interface of the wearable electronic device  30 E. 
       FIG. 7A  is a schematic diagram of a portion  50  of an example of the switching power supply circuitry  29  of the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1  that includes an inductor  52  and a magnetic field containment device  54 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The inductor  52  and the magnetic field containment device  54  may be mounted to a circuit board  56  of the portion  50  of the switching power supply circuitry  29 . While only the portion  50  of the switching power supply circuitry  29  is shown, the switching power supply circuitry  29  may include other components on the circuit board  56 , such as circuit traces, capacitors, resistors, input/output connectors, and the like. The switching power supply circuitry  29  may also include multiple inductors  52 , and magnetic field containment devices  54  for each inductor  52 . The inductor  52  includes a conductor  53  (e.g., a wire or coil) that may be wound in a toroidal fashion. When electrical current flows through the conductor  53 , energy is stored in a magnetic field in the conductor  53 . As illustrated, the inductor  52  includes a continuous conductor  53  wound in a substantially round toroid-shape. 
     The magnetic field containment device  54  may be made of any suitable material and have a structure that at least partially contains a magnetic field emitted by a portion of the inductor  52  that is at least partially surrounded by the magnetic field containment device  54 , while enabling a desired saturation current of the portion of the inductor  52 . For example, the suitable material may be a material that has a suitable or desired relative permeability. The higher the relative permeability of the material, the more effective the containment of the magnetic field. As a non-limiting example, the desired relative permeability of the magnetic field containment device  54  may be within a range of 10 to 10000 (e.g., 80, 120, 180, 200, 250, 300, 500, 1000, 1200, 2000, and the like). 
     However, a material with relative permeability that is too high may excessively lower the saturation current in the inductor  52  when in operation. As an example, a magnetic field containment device  54  made of a ferrite-based material (e.g., pure ferrite, BaFe 12 O 19 , and the like) may have a relative permeability of approximately 1000 and cause hysteresis losses when electrical current flows in the inductor  52 . The hysteresis losses in turn result in undesirably lowering saturation current in the inductor  52 . In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the magnetic field containment device  54 , in operation, to enable a desired saturation current in the inductor  52  (e.g., the portion in the inductor  52  that is at least partially surrounded by the magnetic field containment device  54 ) that is greater or equal to 50 percent of the saturation current in the inductor  52  when not at least partially surrounded by the magnetic field containment device  54 . For example, it may be desirable for the magnetic field containment device  54  to enable a saturation current in the inductor  52  that is greater or equal to 60 percent, 70 percent, 75 percent, 80 percent, 85 percent, 90 percent, or 95 percent, of the saturation current in the inductor  52  when not at least partially surrounded by the magnetic field containment device  54 . 
     As illustrated, the structure of the magnetic field containment device  54  includes a top portion  58 , an inner pillar  60 , an outer pillar  62 , that, along with a portion  63  of the circuit board  56  that abuts the inner pillar  60  and the outer pillar  62 , at least partially surrounds or encloses the inductor  52  along a transverse plane  64  of the inductor  52 . The portion  63  of the circuit board  56  may be made of any suitable material that has a higher permeability than a permeability of a typical circuit trace on the circuit board  56 . For example, the portion  63  of the circuit board  56  may be made of the same material as the magnetic field containment device  54 . In some embodiments, the portion  63  of the circuit board  56  may be made of a different material than the magnetic field containment device  54 , and thus may have a lower or higher permeability compared to the magnetic field containment device  54 . 
     Increasing a reluctance path of the magnetic field containment device  54  and the portion  63  of the circuit board  56  may contain more of the magnetic field emitted by the portion of the inductor  52  that is at least partially surrounded by the magnetic field containment device  54  and the portion  63  of the circuit board  56 . The reluctance path may be increased by any combination of thickening the pillars  60 ,  62  of the magnetic field containment device  54 , adding additional pillars, and the like. Varying or tuning the material composition and/or structure of the magnetic field containment device  54  may adjust the relative permeability and/or dimensional reluctance of the magnetic field containment device  54 , respectively, such that the magnetic field containment device  54  may contain a desired portion of the magnetic field while enabling a desired saturation current in the portion of the inductor  52  at least partially surrounded by the magnetic field containment device  54 . In some embodiments, the reluctance path may be broken or interrupted in one or more inner pillars (e.g., the pillar  60 ), such that there is one or more air gaps in the one or more inner pillars, to vary or tune the saturation current in the portion of the inductor  52 . In some embodiments, other materials of different relative permeabilities may be used to form one or more portions (e.g., one or more pillars  60 ,  62 ) of the magnetic field containment device  54  to vary or tune the saturation current in the portion of the inductor  52 . For example, the inner pillar  60  may be formed of a material having a different relative permeability than the relative permeability of the remainder of the magnetic field containment device  54  to enable a desired saturation current in the portion of the inductor  52 . 
     Each magnetic field containment device  54  that at least partially surrounds the inductor  52  may be an independent electrical circuit that is not directly electrically connected (e.g., via a conductor) to any other magnetic field containment device  54 . For example, there may be physical separation between any two magnetic field containment devices  54  at least partially surrounding an inductor  52 . In some embodiments, the magnetic field containment device  54  and/or the inductor  52  may be part of the circuit board  56 . For example, the magnetic field containment device  54 , the inductor  52 , and/or the circuit board  56  may be manufactured together to reduce manufacturing costs. 
       FIG. 7B  is a portion  70  of another example of the switching power supply circuitry  29  of the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1  that includes an inductor  52  with a conductor  53  that is not continuous and the magnetic field containment device  54  having a different structure than in  FIG. 7A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the inductor  52  is not continuous, and has a first end  71  and a second end  72 . The magnetic field containment device  54  includes the top portion  58  coupled to the inner pillar  60  and the outer pillar  62 , wherein the inner pillar  60  and the outer pillar  62  mount the top portion  58  to a top surface  73  circuit board  56 . The magnetic field containment device  54  also includes a bottom portion  74  coupled to a bottom inner pillar  76  and a bottom outer pillar  78  mounted to a bottom surface  80  of the circuit board  56 . The inner pillar  60  may be coupled to the bottom inner pillar  76  and the outer pillar  62  may be coupled to the bottom outer pillar  78 . In some embodiments, the bottom inner pillar  76  is part of the inner pillar  60  and the bottom outer pillar  78  is part of the outer pillar  62 . In this configuration, the magnetic field containment device  54  surrounds or encloses a greater portion of the inductor  52  (compared to the magnetic field containment device  54  of  FIG. 7A ) along a transverse plane  84 , and may more effectively contain the magnetic field emitted by the portion  82  of the inductor  52 . 
       FIG. 7C  is a portion  90  of yet another example of the switching power supply circuitry  29  of the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1  that includes an inductor  52  with a conductor  53  wound in a different shape and the magnetic field containment device  54  having a different structure than in  FIG. 7A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the conductor  53  is wound in a substantially rectangular toroid-shape. The magnetic field containment device  54  includes the top portion  58  and a bottom portion  74  coupled to the inner pillar  60  and the outer pillar  62 , wherein the inner pillar  60  and the outer pillar  62  mount the top portion  58  and the bottom portion  74  to the top surface  73  circuit board  56 . In this configuration, the magnetic field containment device  54  completely or fully surrounds or encloses a portion of the inductor  52  along a transverse plane  88 , and may more effectively contain (compared to the magnetic field containment device  54  of  FIGS. 7A-B ) the magnetic field emitted by the portion of the inductor  52 . 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram of a magnetic B-Field  110  generated by electrical current  112  flowing in a conductor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The conductor may be the conductor  53  of the inductor  52 . A nearby conductive plate  114  may be, for example, an inner surface of the magnetic field containment device  54  of  FIG. 7A, 7B , or  7 C. 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram of an eddy current  120  and opposing B-Field  122  generated by the B-Field  110  in the nearby conductive plate  114  of  FIG. 8 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The B-Field  110  interacts with the nearby conductive plate  114 , generating the eddy current  120 . The eddy current  120  in turn generates the opposing B-Field  122 . Because the opposing B-Field  122  opposes the B-Field generated by the electrical current  112  flowing in the conductor  53 , the eddy current  120  causes conducted losses (e.g., in the nearby conductive plate  114 ). 
       FIG. 10A  is a diagram of an eddy current  130  and opposing B-Field  132  generated by the B-Field  110  in a wider nearby conductive plate  134  of  FIG. 8 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The size of a nearby conductive plate determines the strength of the eddy current and the opposing B-Field generated by the B-Field  110 . Because the wider nearby conductive plate  134  is wider than the nearby conductive plate  114  of  FIG. 9 , the wider nearby conductive plate  134  provides a larger eddy current path, producing a stronger eddy current  130  and stronger opposing B-Field  132 , and thus greater conducted losses (e.g., in the wider nearby conductive plate  134 ). 
       FIG. 10B  is a diagram of eddy currents  140  and opposing B-Fields  142  generated by the B-Field  110  when the wider nearby conductive plate  134  of  FIG. 10A  is split into multiple thinner nearby conductive plates  144 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The size of a nearby conductive plate determines the strength of the eddy current and the opposing B-Field generated by the B-Field  110 . Because the wider nearby conductive plate  134  of  FIG. 10A  is split into multiple thinner nearby conductive plates  144 , the multiple thinner nearby conductive plates  144  result in smaller eddy current paths and less conducted losses (due to smaller current paths). Additionally, each opposing B-Field  142  may partially negate its neighboring opposing B-Field  142  where the conductive plates  144  are separated. Thus, making thinner slices of magnetic field containment device  54  that at least partially surround or enclose the conductor  53  of the inductor  52  may further reduce conducted losses. 
       FIGS. 11A-D  are diagrams of magnetic field containment of magnetic field containment devices  54  made of materials of different relative permeability that surround two portions of an inductor  52 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The materials may be any suitable materials that have a desired relative permeability. The higher the relative permeability of the material, the more effective the containment of the magnetic field. However, if the relative permeability of the material is too high, the material may excessively lower the saturation current in the inductor  52  when in operation. As an example, a magnetic field containment device  54  made of a ferrite-based material (e.g., pure ferrite, BaFe 12 O 19 , and the like) may have a relative permeability of approximately 1000 and cause hysteresis losses when electrical current flows in the inductor  52 . The hysteresis losses in turn result in undesirably decreasing the saturation current in the inductor  52 . As such, a material that has an excessively high relative permeability and thus causes excessive hysteresis loss, such that the saturation current in the inductor  52  is decreased beyond what is desired, should be avoided. 
     Suitable materials may include any combination of cobalt, tantalum, zirconium, niobium, nickel, ferrite, silicon, vanadium, molybdenum, boron, carbon, manganese, zinc, copper, chromium, phosphorus, aluminum, and the like. Suitable materials may include alloys from any of the following alloy families: CoTaZr, CoNbZr, Ni 81 Fe 19 , Fe-(3-4)Si, Co 48 Fe-2V, Fe-(45-50)Ni, Ni-17Fe-4Mo, Fe-13.5B-2.5Si-2C, Co-15Si-14B, ferrites (Mn, Ni—Zn), Ni-5Cu-2Cr, Fe—P, Fe-13.5Si-9B-3Nb-Cu, Fe-9.5Si-5.5Al, CoP, Fe (17-50)Co, Fe-(17-18)Cr, Fe-12Cr, and the like. For example, the magnetic field containment devices  54  in  FIGS. 11A-11D  may be made of a combination of nickel, ferrite, and copper (NiFeCu). The exact composition and/or proportion of elements of the combination of nickel, ferrite, and copper may be varied or tuned to achieve a desired relative permeability. 
       FIG. 11A  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of the magnetic field containment devices  54  that have a relative permeability of 80 that surround two portions of an inductor  52 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The magnetic field containment devices  54  and the inductor  52  may be mounted to the circuit board  56 . As illustrated, a portion  150  of the B-Field generated by the current in the inductor  52  is contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 , while another portion  152  of the B-Field is not contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 . The magnetic field containment devices  54  may be made of a combination of nickel, ferrite, and copper (NiFeCu). By adjusting the composition and/or proportion of elements of the materials of the magnetic field containment devices  54 , a desired relative permeability may be achieved. 
       FIG. 11B  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of the magnetic field containment devices  54  that have a relative permeability of 90 that surround two portions of the inductor  52  of  FIG. 11A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, a portion  160  of the B-Field generated by the current in the inductor  52  is contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 , while another portion  162  of the B-Field is not contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 . Due to the higher relative permeability of the material of the magnetic field containment devices  54  in  FIG. 11B , the B-Field generated as a result of current flowing in the inductor  52  is weaker or less than the B-Field illustrated in  FIG. 11A  (as illustrated by the portions  152 ,  162  of the B-Field that is not contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 ). As such, the weaker B-Field generated by the inductor  52  in  FIG. 11B  is less likely to interfere with neighboring circuit components than the B-Field generated by the inductor  52  in  FIG. 11A . 
       FIG. 11C  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of the magnetic field containment devices  54  that have a relative permeability of 100 that surround two portions of the inductor  52  of  FIG. 11A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, a portion  170  of the B-Field generated by the current in the inductor  52  is contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 , while another portion  172  of the B-Field is not contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 . Due to the higher relative permeability of the material of the magnetic field containment devices  54  in  FIG. 11C , the B-Field generated as a result of current flowing in the inductor  52  is weaker or less than the B-Field illustrated in  FIG. 11B  (as illustrated by the portions  162 ,  172  of the B-Field that is not contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 ). As such, the weaker B-Field generated by the inductor  52  in  FIG. 11C  is less likely to interfere with neighboring circuit components than the B-Field generated by the inductor  52  in  FIG. 11B . 
       FIG. 11D  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of the magnetic field containment devices  54  that have a relative permeability of 120 that surround two portions of the inductor  52  of  FIG. 11A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, a portion  180  of the B-Field generated by the current in the inductor  52  is contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 , while another portion  182  of the B-Field is not contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 . Due to the higher relative permeability of the material of the magnetic field containment devices  54  in  FIG. 11D , the B-Field generated as a result of current flowing in the inductor  52  is weaker or less than the B-Field illustrated in  FIG. 11C  (as illustrated by the portions  172 ,  182  of the B-Field that is not contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 ). As such, the weaker B-Field generated by the inductor  52  in  FIG. 11D  is less likely to interfere with neighboring circuit components than the B-Field generated by the inductor  52  in  FIG. 11C . 
       FIGS. 12A-D  are diagrams of magnetic field containment of the magnetic field containment devices  54  of  FIGS. 11A-D , respectively, that additionally include an inner reluctance path, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, an inner pillar may be added to the magnetic field containment device  54  such that the magnetic field containment device  54  includes three pillars (e.g., the inner pillar, an intermediate pillar, and an outer pillar). The added inner pillar may relieve an inner path of reluctance and result in reducing or “pulling in” the B-Fields not contained within the magnetic field containment device  54 . 
       FIG. 12A  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of the magnetic field containment devices  54  of  FIG. 11A  that additionally include the inner reluctance path  190 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, the magnetic field containment devices  54  are made of a material that has a relative permeability of 80 that surround two portions of an inductor  52 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The magnetic field containment devices  54  also each include an inner pillar  191  that relieves an inner path of reluctance and results in reducing the B-Fields emitted by the current  112  flowing in the inductor  52 . As illustrated, a portion  192  of the B-Field generated by the current  112  in the inductor  52  is contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 , while another portion  194  of the B-Field is not contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 . Due to the additional inner pillar  191  of the magnetic field containment devices  54  in  FIG. 12A , the B-Field generated as a result of current  112  flowing in the inductor  52  is weaker or less than the B-Field illustrated in  FIG. 11A . As such, the weaker B-Field generated by the inductor  52  in  FIG. 12A  is less likely to interfere with neighboring circuit components than the B-Field generated by the inductor  52  in  FIG. 11A . 
       FIG. 12B  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of the magnetic field containment devices  54  of  FIG. 11B  that additionally include the inner reluctance path  200 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, the magnetic field containment devices  54  are made of a material that has a relative permeability of 90 that surround two portions of an inductor  52 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The magnetic field containment devices  54  also each include an inner pillar  201  that relieves an inner path of reluctance and results in reducing the B-Fields emitted by the current  112  flowing in the inductor  52 . As illustrated, a portion  202  of the B-Field generated by the current  112  in the inductor  52  is contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 , while another portion  204  of the B-Field is not contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 . Due to the additional inner pillar  201  of the magnetic field containment devices  54  in  FIG. 12B , the B-Field generated as a result of current  112  flowing in the inductor  52  is weaker or less than the B-Field illustrated in  FIG. 11B . Due to the higher relative permeability of the material of the magnetic field containment devices  54  in  FIG. 12B , the B-Field generated as a result of current  112  flowing in the inductor  52  is weaker or less than the B-Field illustrated in  FIG. 12A . As such, the weaker B-Field generated by the inductor  52  in  FIG. 12B  is less likely to interfere with neighboring circuit components than the B-Fields generated by the inductor  52  in  FIG. 11B  or  FIG. 12A . 
       FIG. 12C  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of the magnetic field containment devices  54  of  FIG. 11C  that additionally include the inner reluctance path  210 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, the magnetic field containment devices  54  are made of a material that has a relative permeability of 100 that surround two portions of an inductor  52 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The magnetic field containment devices  54  also each include an inner pillar  211  that relieves an inner path of reluctance and results in reducing the B-Fields emitted by the current  112  flowing in the inductor  52 . As illustrated, a portion  212  of the B-Field generated by the current  112  in the inductor  52  is contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 , while another portion  214  of the B-Field is not contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 . Due to the additional inner pillar  211  of the magnetic field containment devices  54  in  FIG. 12C , the B-Field generated as a result of current  112  flowing in the inductor  52  is weaker or less than the B-Field illustrated in  FIG. 11C . Due to the higher relative permeability of the material of the magnetic field containment devices  54  in  FIG. 12C , the B-Field generated as a result of current  112  flowing in the inductor  52  is weaker or less than the B-Field illustrated in  FIG. 12B . As such, the weaker B-Field generated by the inductor  52  in  FIG. 12C  is less likely to interfere with neighboring circuit components than the B-Fields generated by the inductor  52  in  FIG. 11C  or  FIG. 12B . 
       FIG. 12D  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of the magnetic field containment devices  54  of  FIG. 11D  that additionally include the inner reluctance path  220 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, the magnetic field containment devices  54  are made of a material that has a relative permeability of 120 that surround two portions of an inductor  52 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The magnetic field containment devices  54  also each include an inner pillar  221  that relieves an inner path of reluctance and results in reducing the B-Fields emitted by the current  112  flowing in the inductor  52 . As illustrated, a portion  222  of the B-Field generated by the current  112  in the inductor  52  is contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 , while another portion  224  of the B-Field is not contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 . Due to the additional inner pillar  221  of the magnetic field containment devices  54  in  FIG. 12D , the B-Field generated as a result of current  112  flowing in the inductor  52  is weaker or less than the B-Field illustrated in  FIG. 11D . Due to the higher relative permeability of the material of the magnetic field containment devices  54  in  FIG. 12D , the B-Field generated as a result of current  112  flowing in the inductor  52  is weaker or less than the B-Field illustrated in  FIG. 12C . As such, the weaker B-Field generated by the inductor  52  in  FIG. 12D  is less likely to interfere with neighboring circuit components than the B-Fields generated by the inductor  52  in  FIG. 11D  or  FIG. 12C . 
     A magnetic field containment device made with a material of lower relative permeability may nevertheless effectively contain a B-Field generated by the current in the inductor  52  if the magnetic field containment device includes the additional inner reluctance path. For example, the magnetic field containment devices of  FIG. 12B , which have a relative permeability of 90 and the additional inner reluctance path  220 , contain similar amounts of B-Field as the magnetic field containment devices of  FIG. 11D  which have a relative permeability of 120 and no additional inner reluctance path. 
       FIG. 13  is a diagram of the magnetic field containment of the magnetic field containment devices  54  of  FIG. 11A  that additionally includes the inner reluctance path  230  and an outer reluctance path  232 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, the magnetic field containment devices  54  are made of a material that has a relative permeability of 80 that surround two portions of an inductor  52 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The magnetic field containment devices  54  also each include an inner pillar  231  that relieves an inner path of reluctance and an outer pillar  233  that relieves an outer path of reluctance that result in reducing the B-Fields not contained within the magnetic field containment device  54 . As illustrated, a portion  234  of the B-Field generated by the current in the inductor  52  is contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 , while another portion  236  of the B-Field is not contained within the magnetic field containment devices  54 . However, the outer pillar  233  increases the surface area taken up by the magnetic field containment device  54  on the circuit board  56 , whereas the inner pillar  231  does not. 
       FIG. 14A  is a diagram of a perspective view of a configuration  240  of multiple magnetic field containment devices used to at least partially contain the magnetic field emitted by the inductor  52 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the inductor  52  may include multiple layers to increase inductance and performance of the inductor  52 . As illustrated, the configuration  240  includes magnetic field containment devices of different structures. A first magnetic field containment device  242  includes a top portion coupled to a bottom portion by an inner pillar and an outer pillar that surrounds the inductor  52 . That is, the first magnetic field device  242  may have a similar structure to that of the magnetic field device  54  of  FIGS. 11A-D . A second magnetic field containment device  244  includes a top portion coupled to a bottom portion by an inner pillar, an intermediate pillar, and an outer pillar, where the top portion, the bottom portion, the intermediate pillar, and the outer pillar surrounds the inductor  52 . That is, the second magnetic field device  244  may have a similar structure to that of the magnetic field device  54  of  FIGS. 12A-D . Other magnetic field containment devices of the configuration  240  may include structures configured to accommodate the shape or configuration of the inductor  52 . For example, the inductor  52  in  FIGS. 14A-D  has a rectangular toroid-shape. As such, the structure of the magnetic field containment device may be configured for a corner of the rectangular toroid-shape. A third magnetic field containment device  246  includes a top portion coupled to a bottom portion by an inner pillar and three outer pillars  248 , where the top portion, the bottom portion, the intermediate pillar, and each outer pillar surrounds the inductor  52 . It may be desirable to use magnetic field containment devices with inner reluctance paths (such as the second magnetic field device  244 ). However, due the shape of the inductor  52  may limit such use. Each magnetic field containment device (including  242 ,  244 ,  246 ) may be made of a material that has a desired relative permeability. In some embodiments, because each of the magnetic field containment devices may not be of the same structure, the material may be varied among the magnetic field containment devices such that each magnetic field containment device contains a uniform amount of B-Field generated by the inductor  52  while enabling a desired saturation current in the inductor  52 . 
       FIG. 14B  is a diagram of a top view of the configuration  240  of the multiple magnetic field containment devices of  FIG. 14A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 14C  is a diagram of a bottom view of the configuration  240  of multiple magnetic field containment devices of  FIG. 14A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 14D  is a diagram of a side view of the configuration  240  of multiple magnetic field containment devices of  FIG. 14A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 15A  is a diagram of a perspective view of another configuration  250  of multiple magnetic field containment devices used to at least partially contain the magnetic field emitted by the inductor  52 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the inductor  52  may include multiple layers to increase inductance and thus performance of the inductor  52 . As illustrated, the configuration  250  includes magnetic field containment devices of different structures. The configuration  250  includes the first magnetic field containment device  242  and the second magnetic field containment device  244  of  FIGS. 14A-D . The inductor  52  in  FIGS. 15A-B  has a rectangular toroid-shape. As such, the structure of a magnetic field containment device may be configured for a corner of the rectangular toroid-shape. The magnetic field containment device may also be configured for features of the inductor  52 , such as one or more connections  252  to a power source. A third magnetic field containment device  254  includes a top portion coupled to a bottom portion by an inner pillar and four outer pillars, where the top portion, the bottom portion, the intermediate pillar, and each outer pillar surrounds the inductor  52 . A fourth magnetic field containment device  256  includes a top portion coupled to a bottom portion by an inner pillar and five outer pillars, where the top portion, the bottom portion, the intermediate pillar, and each outer pillar surrounds the inductor  52 . Each magnetic field containment device (including  242 ,  244 ,  254 ,  256 ) may be made of a material that has a desired relative permeability. In some embodiments, because each of the magnetic field containment devices may not be of the same structure, the material may be varied among the magnetic field containment devices such that each magnetic field containment device contains a uniform amount of B-Field generated by the inductor  52  while enabling a desired saturation current in the inductor  52 . 
       FIG. 15B  is a perspective diagram of a cross-sectional view of the configuration  250  of multiple magnetic field containment devices of  FIG. 15A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 16  is a diagram of a configuration  260  of a magnetic field containment device  262  used to at least partially contain the magnetic field emitted by the inductor  52 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the inductor  52  may be of a in a shape of a flat coil, such as when part of a thin film application. As illustrated, the magnetic field containment device  262  includes a top portion coupled to an inner pillar and an outer pillar that surrounds the inductor  52 . That is, the magnetic field device  262  may have a similar structure to that of the magnetic field device  54  of  FIG. 7A . In some embodiments, at least some of the other pillars (e.g.,  264 ) may also be coupled to a top portion to surround a larger area of the inductor  52 . The magnetic field containment device  262  may be made of a material that has a desired relative permeability to at least partially contain a B-Field generated by the inductor  52  while enabling a desired saturation current in the inductor  52 . 
       FIG. 17  is a diagram of a configuration  270  of multiple magnetic field containment devices  272  used to at least partially contain the magnetic field emitted by the inductor  52 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, each magnetic field containment device  272  includes a top portion coupled to a bottom portion by an inner pillar and an outer pillar that surrounds the inductor  52 . That is, each magnetic field device  272  may have a similar structure to that of the magnetic field device  54  of  FIGS. 11A-D . Each magnetic field containment device  262  may be made of a material that has a desired relative permeability to at least partially contain a B-Field generated by the inductor  52  while enabling a desired saturation current in the inductor  52 . 
       FIG. 18  is a diagram of a configuration  280  of multiple magnetic field containment devices  282  used to at least partially contain the magnetic field emitted by the inductor  52 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, each magnetic field containment device  282  includes a top portion coupled to a bottom portion by an inner pillar and an outer pillar that surrounds the inductor  52 . That is, each magnetic field device  282  may have a similar structure to that of the magnetic field device  54  of  FIGS. 11A-D . Each magnetic field containment device  282  may be made of a material that has a desired relative permeability to at least partially contain a B-Field generated by the inductor  52  while enabling a desired saturation current in the inductor  52 . 
     The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should be further understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. 
     The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20170112
Publication Date: 20190409
Grant Date: 20190409
Priority Date: 20160908
Inventors: MARTINEZ, PAUL A.
TSAI, MING Y.
CENTOLA, FEDERICO P.
SCHAUER, MARTIN
LAM, CHEUNG-WEI
SAUERS, JASON C.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01F2017/008", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/023", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/18", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F17/0013", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F27/365", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F27/366", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F27/361", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F27/363", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F27/366", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F27/363", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F27/361", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F27/36", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/18", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F2017/008", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y02P70/50", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F17/0013", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/023", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F17/0013", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/181", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/023", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F2017/008", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F27/36", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/1003", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/1003", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/181", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 61281434