A power converter integration approach with a multi-functional heat sink shaped inductor
This paper presents a novel multi-functional component which combines the features of heat sink and magnetic device in the power converters. Inspired by the functional integration concept, the proposed heat sink component is well designed in order to also serve as an inductor. With the modified winding and magnetic circuit design, the inductance can accommodate the requirement of power converter without increasing the DC condition loss. This proposed heat sink-inductor device can significantly save the total volume of power module and improve the thermal performance at the meanwhile. In the studied point of load power module, the total volume is decreased by 40% and the temperature of voltage regulation IC is decreased by 14°C.