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[July. 2023] Product OverviewPower Inductor VLS Series
The VLS series power inductors are magnetic shield (resin) type wound inductors that have been developed taking full advantage of the material technology and manufacturing processes that TDK have accumulated so far. This type of inductors can largely be classified into three categories: VLS-HBX/HBU series, VLS-CX/CX-H series, and VLS-EX/AF/EX-H/EX-D series; and they show respective excellent features. This article introduces the structure, features, and application purposes of these products, and other information that helps you in an easy-to-understand way.
The VLS series power inductors are magnetic shield (resin) type wound inductors that have been developed taking full advantage of the material technology and manufacturing processes that TDK have accumulated so far. This type of inductors can largely be classified into three categories: VLS-HBX/HBU series, VLS-CX/CX-H series, and VLS-EX/AF/EX-H/EX-D series; and they show respective excellent features. This article introduces the structure, features, and application purposes of these products, and other information that helps you in an easy-to-understand way.
Table of Contents
Product Overview
The VLS-HBX/HBU wire-wound type inductors, use metallic magnetic materials for the core, while the VLS-CX/CX-H series and VLS-EX/AF/EX-H/EX-D series utilize ferrite materials.
In all series, leakage flux is reduced by covering the winding portion with resin containing magnetic material.
| Series |
VLS-HBX VLS-HBU |
VLS-CX VLS-CX-H |
VLS-EX VLS-AF VLS-EX-H VLS-EX-D |
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| Product Overview | Wire-wound and Magnetic Shield Type Inductor using Metallic Magnetic Materials Use metallic materials to achieve high current and low RDC Winding covered with resin containing magnetic material to reduce leakage flux |
Wire-wound and Magnetic Shield Type Inductor Using Ferrite Materials Optimized core shape from previous models for improved electrical characteristics Winding covered with resin containing magnetic material to reduce leakage flux |
Wire-wound and Magnetic Shield Type Inductor using Ferrite Materials Uses optimal structural design to achieve high current and low RDC Winding area covered with resin containing magnetic material to reduce leakage flux |
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| Features | Supports high current due to metallic core Compact and low-profile, featuring silver electrodes on the terminals. The HBU series has a high-voltage specification suitable for boost circuits |
Uses ferrite materials to achieve high withstand voltage Compact and low-profile, featuring silver electrodes on the terminals. The CX-H series is guaranteed up to 125°C, suitable for automotive applications |
Utilizes metallic terminals, medium-sized around 5-6mm square The AF series is aimed at applications for sound quality improvement The EX-H series is guaranteed up to 125°C, and the EX-D series is guaranteed up to 150°C, suitable for automotive applications |
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| Applications | VLS-HBX series | VLS-HBU series | VLS-CX series | VLS-CX-H series | VLS-EX series | VLS-AF series | VLS-EX-H series | VLS-EX-D series |
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| Smartphones Tablet devices Other portable devices |
Boost circuits in displays, etc. Smartphones Tablet devices Other portable devices |
Smartphones Tablet devices Other portable devices |
Automotive equipment (up to 125°C) PoC filters |
TVs, STBs, game consoles Other AV equipment |
TVs, STBs, game consoles Other AV equipment |
Automotive equipment (up to 125°C) PoC filters |
Automotive equipment (up to 150°C) Engine rooms PoC filters |
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Product Structure
The structure of the VLS series can be largely divided into two. The VLS-HBX/HBU series and the VLS-CX/CX-H series is smaller and thinner due to the terminal electrode structure.
The VLS-EX/AF/EX-H/EX-D series has metal terminals, and classified as medium-sized products of 5mm and 6mm square.
Product Features
Figure 3 shows the features of each VLS series. The VLS-HBU series achieves high withstanding voltage by coating the metal core.
The VLS-CX-H/EX-H series and VLS-EX-D series are automotive products with an operating temperature range of 125°C and 150°C, respectively.
| Series | VLS-HBX | VLS-HBU | VLS-CX | VLS-CX-H | VLS-EX | VLS-AF | VLS-EX-H | VLS-EX-D |
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| Appearance |
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| Core: | Metal | Metal + coating | Ferrite | |||||
| Magnetic materials for outer resin | Metal | Ferrite | Metal | |||||
| Terminal electrode specification | Silver electrode + plating | Metal terminal + plating | ||||||
| Marking specification/method | Polarity/Laser | Polarity + L- value/Laser | L-value/Laser | Polarity + L-value + production serial number/Laser | ||||
| Applications |
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| Operating temperature range: (Including self-temperature rise) |
-40°C to 105°C | -40°C to 125°C | -40°C to 105°C | -40°C to 125°C | -40°C to 150°C | |||
| Features | Supports high current due to metallic core Low-profile up to 1.2mm height |
High withstand voltage due to metal core coating | High withstand voltage due to ferrite core Low RDC |
Compact, low profile due to silver electrode structure | Wide lineup from 0.47 to 680uH | Specifications for sound quality improvement | Medium size 5-6mm using metal terminals | Supports high current due to metallic exterior resin Supports up to 150°C |
| Size | 2016 to 4mm square | 252010,252012 | 2016 to 4mm square | 3 to 4mm square | 5 to 6mm square | 6mm square | 5 to 6mm square | 5mm square |
For automotive specifications, we have added the VLS5030EX-D series to our lineup, the first of our resin-shielded inductors that can be used in high-temperature environments up to 150°C.
By adopting a resin shield structure that maximizes the core volume and using metallic magnetic materials for the resin shield function, we have achieved superior electrical characteristics compared to our ferrite shield coils of the same size.
Achieves excellent electrical characteristics.
Applications
The optimal VLS series for each application circuit is shown in Figure 5.
The VLS-HBU series is suitable for boost-type DC-DC converters, and the VLS-AF series is suitable for the low-pass filter circuit of D amplifiers.
The automotive grade VLS-EX-D series can be used in high-temperature environments up to 150°C, including engine rooms.
| Applications | DC-DC Converter (Buck Type) | DC-DC Converter (Boost Type) | D Amp Low Pass Filter | |
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VLS-CX VLS-EX |
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VLS-EX-H (～125℃) VLS-EX-D (～150℃) |
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In recent years, the use of Power over Coax (PoC), which overlays signals and power on a single coaxial cable between the camera and the ECU to reduce vehicle weight and material cost, has been increasing.
The VLS-CX-H/EX-H/EX-D series can also be used as a PoC filter to separate the necessary signals and power in PoC circuits.
Product List
The product list for each series and shape is shown in Figure 7. Clicking on the series name allows you to view detailed information and purchase samples.
- Commercial Grade
- Automotive Grade
| Size (mm) |
Height (mm) |
VLS-HBX | VLS-HBU | VLS-CX | VLS-CX-H | VLS-EX | VLS-AF | VLS-EX-H | VLS-EX-D |
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| 2.0x1.6 | 1.0 Max. |
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| 1.2 Max. |
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| 2.5x2.0 | 1.0 Max. |
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| 1.2 Max. |
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| 3.0x3.0 | 1.0 Max. |
 VLS3010CX-1
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| 1.2 Max. |
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| 1.5 Max. |
 VLS3015CX-1
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VLS3015CX-H
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| 4.0x4.0 | 1.2 Max. |
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 VLS4012CX-1
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| 1.5 Max. |
 VLS4015CX-H
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| 2.0 Max. |
 VLS4020CX-H
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| 5.0x5.0 | 3.0 Max. |
 VLS5030EX-D
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| 4.5 Max. |
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| 6.0x6.0 | 4.5 Max. |
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What are power inductors?
A power inductor is an inductor used in power circuits such as DC-DC converters, and is sometimes called a power coil or a power choke. Inductors have the property of storing energy through self-induction, and DC-DC converters, such as chopper-type converters, use a combination of this inductor and switching elements to convert voltage. (Refer to Figure 8).
Inductors are classified into multilayer, thin-film, and wire-wound types according to their construction methods. The wire-wound type, which can carry large currents, is the mainstream for power inductors This type can be integrated with a variety of products that have either ferrite or soft magnetic metal cores. In recent years, smaller and thinner multilayer and thin-film types are also becoming capable of handling large currents.
By setting the duty cycle (the ratio of ON time to switching cycle),
the voltage is lowered to the required voltage.
Repeat
switching
