TDK introduces high temperature and high current power inductors for LED headlamps

     TDK Corporation has expanded its lineup of metal core power inductors with its new SPM-VT series, designed specifically to meet the high thermal and current requirements of automotive LED headlamps. These wound power inductors operate in A temperature range of -55°C to +155°C and are rated in A current range of 4.7 A to 36.6 A (Isat), depending on the product model.

     The new component is AEC-Q200 certified and is available in three initial sizes: 7.5× 7.0 × 5.4 mm, 10.5 × 10.0 × 6.5 mm, and 13.0 × 12.5 × 6.5 mm, with rated inductance ranging from 1 µH to 47 µH, depending on the product. Based on TDK's innovative metal magnetic material technology, the SPM-VT series achieves high saturation magnetic induction and a robust structural design. Metal core power inductors have superior DC superposition characteristics, compact size, rated current is about 2 to 3 times higher than similar high temperature products made of ferrite core materials.

     Modern adaptive LED headlights usually use the same control circuit to drive all LED headlight functions, such as: low and high beam lights, daytime running lights and corner lighting. Due to their low power consumption and versatile characteristics, LED headlights are rapidly replacing traditional halogen and HID headlights. The DC-DC converter in the LED headlamp power supply circuit uses power inductors, and as the headlamp function increases, the number of inductors required is also increasing.

     The new SPM-VT series meets the automotive industry's demand for compact, high-performance power inductors that can withstand high currents and high temperatures. In the future, TDK will continue to expand the product lineup of SPM power inductors to develop more miniaturized inductors such as 6.5 × 6.5 × 4.5 mm and 5.0 × 5.0 × 3.0 mm specifications.