DEVICE FOR ENABLING A NON-INTEGER NUMBER OF WINDINGS TO BE PROVIDED ON AN INDUCTOR
The invention provides a device for enabling a non-integer number of windings to be provided on an inductor. The device comprises a generally planar member adapted to be positioned adjacent to a magnetic or magnetisable core of an inductor. The member has a wire guide, preferably in the form of a slot, said wire guide comprising a first wire guide portion extending from a peripheral edge of the member towards a central axis thereof, but not reaching said central axis, and including a second wire guide portion which extends from said first wire guide portion to at least partially extend around said central axis. The wire guide enables terminal ends of the inductor coil wire to be brought together to exit the inductor and yet enable a non-integer number of windings to be wound on the magnetic or magnetisable core of the inductor.
1 . A device for enabling a non-integer number of windings to be provided on an inductor, said device comprising:
a member adapted to be positioned adjacent to a magnetic or magnetisable core of an inductor, said member having a wire guide, said wire guide comprising a first wire guide portion extending from a peripheral edge of the member towards a central axis thereof, but not reaching said central axis, and including a second wire guide portion which extends from said first wire guide portion to at least partially extend around said central axis.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first wire guide portion extends directly inwardly from said peripheral edge of the member towards said central axis and the second wire guide portion extends from said first wire guide portion in a curve at least partially around said central axis of the member.
3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the second wire guide portion extends 180 degrees or more around said central axis of the member.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first wire guide portion extends directly inwardly from said peripheral edge of the member towards said central axis and the second wire guide portion comprises primary and secondary wire guide portions which each extend from said first wire guide portion in a curve at least partially around said central axis of the member, but in opposing directions.
5 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the primary and secondary wire guide portions between them extend 180 degrees or more around said central axis of the member.
6 . The device of any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the member is formed of a non-magnetic material.
7 . The device of any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the wire guide comprises a slot in the member.
8 . The device of any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the member is one or more of generally planar and disk-shaped.
9 . The device of any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the member has a plurality of indents or recesses in its peripheral edge.
10 . A coil module including the device of any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the coil module is suitable for an induction power transfer (IPT) receiver, transmitter or transceiver and the device is mounted adjacent to an inductor core member of the coil module, wherein an inductor coil is wound on the core member with an inner end and an outer end of the wire forming the coil received in a wire guide of the device.