TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD. has commercialized four LACN Series MCOIL™ multilayer metal power inductors. Among them is LACNF2012KKTR24MAB (2.0×1.25×1.0mm), which complies with the AEC-Q200 reliability qualification test standard for passive automotive components.

Particularly, this model achieved an upper operating temperature limit of 165°C for a multilayer metal power inductor, a first^*1. TAIYO YUDEN attributes this from advancements made in its proprietary metal materials and multilayer construction methods.

Primarily, these products are used as choke coils in DC/DC converters used in automotive engine ECUs, control systems such as BMS, safety systems such as ABS, body-related systems such as ADAS, and information systems such as instrument clusters.

By extending the upper operating temperature limit range of its conventional product LCCNF2012KKTR24MAD (operating temperature range: -55°C to +150°C) to 165°C, these new products contribute to the miniaturization and performance enhancement of power supply circuits. Accordingly, they enable high-density mounting in high-temperature environments such as in automobiles.

Mass production of these products began at, WAKAYAMA TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD., the company’s subsidiary, in April 2024.

Trends in Automotive Components

The advancements in recent years in electronic controls in production vehicles, as typified by ADAS units, led to a greater number of power supply circuits on vehicles. This, in turn, has resulted to growth in the demand for power inductors used in these circuits.

Furthermore, performance also continues to improve through functional integration. Among them include integrated cockpits that combine instrument clusters and infotainment devices. While the throughput of IC chips continues to grow as these devices become increasingly multifunctional and high-performance, there is also a growing need to make on-board electronic components smaller and thinner. This allows the arrangement of devices in highly dense configurations and integration into single modules. Components mounted at high densities become more susceptible to the effects of heat. Primarily, their reduced volumes make it more difficult for the heat generated by the components to dissipate.

Moreover, ECUs are increasingly being installed in engine compartments—a high-temperature environment. Thus, on-board electronic components must be able to withstand high temperatures.

To address these challenges, TAIYO YUDEN further improved the reliability of the MCOIL™ LCCN Series of multilayer metal power inductors, which are smaller and thinner. Subsequently, it launched the AEC-Q200 certified LACN Series, which provides an extended operating temperature range of – 55°C to +165°C.

TAIYO YUDEN focuses on the development of products that meet market needs, and will continue to expand its power inductor product lineup.

^*1 As of May 30, 2024, according to TAIYO YUDEN study.

^*2 The saturation current value (Idc1) is the DC current value having inductance decrease down to 30%. (at 20℃)

^*3 The temperature rise current value（Idc2) is the DC current value having temperature increase up to 40℃. (at 20℃)

^*4 The rated current is the DC current value that satisfies both of current value saturation current value and temperature rise current value.

-22 July 2024-