Magnetic device having integrated current sensing element and methods of assembling same

1. A magnetic device comprising:

a magnetic core; and

a conductive winding inductively coupled to said magnetic core, said conductive winding comprising a first terminal segment, a second terminal segment, and an inductive segment electrically coupled in series therebetween, said first terminal segment comprising a first sensing terminal, a second sensing terminal spaced from said first sensing terminal, an input/output terminal spaced from said first and second sensing terminals, and a current sensing element electrically coupled between said first and second sensing terminals, wherein said conductive winding defines a first notch disposed between said first and second sensing terminals, and a second notch disposed between said input/output terminal and at least one of said first and second sensing terminals.

2. A magnetic device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said current sensing element is configured such that, in response to a current flowing through said conductive winding, a voltage difference between said first and second sensing terminals is proportional to the current.

3. A magnetic device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said current sensing element divides said first terminal segment into a first portion and a second portion, said first sensing terminal being coupled to said first portion, and said second sensing terminal being coupled to said second portion.

4. A magnetic device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said input/output terminal has a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of each of said first and second sensing terminals.

5. A magnetic device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said magnetic core has an opening defined therein, and said inductive segment is disposed within said opening.

6. A magnetic device in accordance with claim 5 , wherein said current sensing element is disposed outside of said opening.

7. A magnetic device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said current sensing element has a resistivity greater than a resistivity of said conductive winding.

8. A printed circuit board assembly comprising:

a printed circuit board; and

a magnetic device coupled to said printed circuit board, said magnetic device comprising:

a magnetic core; and

a conductive winding inductively coupled to said magnetic core, said conductive winding comprising a first terminal segment, a second terminal segment, and an inductive segment electrically coupled in series therebetween, said first terminal segment comprising a first sensing terminal, a second sensing terminal spaced from said first sensing terminal, an input/output terminal spaced from said first and second sensing terminals, and a current sensing element electrically coupled between said first and second sensing terminals, wherein said conductive winding defines a first notch disposed between said first and second sensing terminals, and a second notch disposed between said input/output terminal and at least one of said first and second sensing terminals, wherein said first and second terminal segments are configured to space said magnetic core a distance from said printed circuit board, wherein said distance is greater than a thickness of said conductive winding.

9. A printed circuit board assembly in accordance with claim 8 , wherein said current sensing element is configured such that, in response to a current flowing through said conductive winding, a voltage difference between said first and second sensing terminals is proportional to the current.

10. A printed circuit board assembly in accordance with claim 9 , wherein said current sensing element divides said first terminal segment into a first portion and a second portion, said first sensing terminal being coupled to said first portion and said second sensing terminal being coupled to said second portion.

11. A printed circuit board assembly in accordance with claim 9 , wherein said first terminal segment further comprises an input/output terminal having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of each of said first and second sensing terminals.

12. A printed circuit board assembly in accordance with claim 8 , wherein said current sensing element has a resistivity greater than a resistivity of said conductive winding.

13. A method of assembling a magnetic device, said method comprising:

providing a magnetic core;

providing a conductive winding including a first terminal segment, a second terminal segment, and an inductive segment electrically coupled in series therebetween, the first terminal segment including a first sensing terminal, a second sensing terminal spaced from the first sensing terminal, and an input/output terminal spaced from the first and second sensing terminals, the conductive winding defining a first notch disposed between the first and second sensing terminals, and a second notch disposed between the input/output terminal and at least one of the first and second sensing terminals;

electrically coupling a current sensing element between the first and second sensing terminals of the first terminal segment; and

inductively coupling the conductive winding to the magnetic core.

14. A method of assembling a magnetic device in accordance with claim 13 , wherein the magnetic core has an opening defined therein, wherein inductively coupling the conductive winding comprises positioning the inductive segment within the opening.

15. A method of assembling a magnetic device in accordance with claim 14 further comprising positioning the current sensing element outside of the opening.

16. A method of assembling a magnetic device in accordance with claim 13 , said method further comprising:

providing a printed circuit board; and

coupling the first terminal segment and the second terminal segment to the printed circuit board such that the magnetic core is spaced from the printed circuit board by a distance greater than a thickness of the conductive winding.