Multi-arm limb-coupled antenna for outdoor use

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of printed antennas, and discloses an outdoor multi-arm segment coupling antenna. The outdoor multi-arm segment coupling antenna covers GPS, WIFI 2.4G and WIFI 5G. The bandwidth and efficiency of WIFI 2.4G and GPS are increased by combining multiple segments with one frequency point. In the case of multiple segments of the 2.4G antenna, the 5G-6G position will not resonate, and the influence on the adjacent WIFI 5G antenna will be reduced. The WIFI 5G antenna is coupled with the adjacent antenna, and one more resonance effectively increases the bandwidth. In the case that the environment is relatively complex and poor, the efficiency of the conventional single-arm segment antenna is higher, and the bandwidth is wider.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of printed antennas, and more particularly to an outdoor multi-arm segmented coupling antenna. Background Technology

[0002] A PDA antenna is a communication antenna used in handheld computers (PDAs) that supports various wireless communication functions such as GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. It typically employs a miniaturized design, integrates multiple frequency bands to adapt to different communication needs, and improves signal reception and transmission efficiency through optimized layout and structure, ensuring stable communication for the PDA in mobile scenarios. It is a key component for enabling wireless connectivity in PDAs.

[0003] The existing technology has the following drawbacks:

[0004] Limited bandwidth and efficiency: Traditional single-arm or simple multi-arm segmented antennas mostly use a single resonant structure. The bandwidth of GPS, WIFI 2.4G and WIFI 5G frequency bands is relatively narrow, and it is difficult to achieve efficient coupling between frequency bands. As a result, in scenarios with severe signal obstruction (such as mountainous areas or urban high-rise buildings) or complex electromagnetic environments (such as outdoor campsites with many devices), the signal reception sensitivity is low, the transmission efficiency is poor, and disconnection or data packet loss is likely to occur.

[0005] Significant frequency band interference: Existing antennas' 2.4G and 5G modules often suffer from parasitic resonance in the 2.4G band extending into the 5G-6G range due to their compact layout or unreasonable structural design, causing strong interference to WIFI 5G signals. At the same time, the lack of coordinated coupling design between 5G modules and adjacent modules makes it difficult to cancel interference through additional resonance, further reducing the stability of simultaneous operation of multiple frequency bands.

[0006] Insufficient heat dissipation and rigid control: Outdoor equipment is exposed to high temperature environment for a long time. The antenna segments are prone to local heat accumulation due to high frequency operation. However, the existing heat dissipation solutions mostly adopt overall passive heat dissipation (such as simply relying on the heat conduction of the substrate or surface heat sinks), which cannot specifically absorb the heat of high-heat areas such as the edge of the segments and connection points. Moreover, the heat dissipation intensity is fixed and cannot be dynamically adjusted according to the real-time temperature. At high temperatures, it is easy to cause the antenna performance to degrade due to overheating, while at low temperatures, there is energy waste. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned problems in the existing technology, an outdoor multi-arm segmented coupling antenna is proposed.

[0008] This application provides an outdoor multi-arm segmented coupled antenna, the purpose of which is to solve the problems of limited bandwidth and efficiency, prominent frequency band interference, insufficient heat dissipation and rigid control of existing PDA antennas.

[0009] The technical solution of the present invention is: an outdoor multi-arm segmented coupling antenna, including a substrate, and further including a GPS & WIFI 2.4G module and an adjacent WIFI 5G module printed on the substrate;

[0010] Both the GPS & WIFI 2.4G module and the WIFI 5G module have heat absorption pipes on their edges. The heat absorption pipes are connected to serpentine heat exchange pipes, and miniature piezoelectric pumps are installed on the heat exchange pipes to circulate the coolant inside the heat absorption pipes.

[0011] Furthermore, the GPS & WIFI 2.4G module includes a gold finger feed point one and a gold finger ground point one. A U-shaped long-arm WIFI 2.4G coupling antenna segment one is connected to the gold finger ground point one. A long-arm WIFI 2.4G segment two is connected to the gold finger feed point one. A GPS segment two is connected to the long-arm WIFI 2.4G segment two. A long-arm GPS coupling antenna segment one is connected to the GPS segment two. The long-arm WIFI 2.4G segment two, the GPS segment two, and the long-arm GPS coupling antenna segment one together surround the long-arm WIFI 2.4G coupling antenna segment one. The long-arm WIFI 2.4G coupling antenna segment one is connected to the long-arm WIFI 2.4G segment two.

[0012] The WIFI 5G module includes a second gold finger feed point and a second gold finger ground point, which are both connected to a WIFI 5G segment.

[0013] Furthermore, the heat absorption tube is provided with multiple bridge tubes, which are located at the bottom of the GPS & WIFI 2.4G module and the WIFI 5G module. The bridge tubes form a return flow path on the heat absorption tube, and the substrate is provided with a receiving groove to accommodate the bridge tubes.

[0014] Furthermore, a micro-valve module is installed on the cable tray pipe;

[0015] The micro-valve module includes a metal sheet disposed on a cable tray tube, an arc-shaped sheet connected below the metal sheet, the cable tray tube passing between the metal sheet and the arc-shaped sheet, and a thermally expanding phase change material filling the space between the metal sheet and the GPS & WIFI 2.4G module and the WIFI 5G module. A bending cavity is provided on the substrate for the arc-shaped sheet to bend downwards.

[0016] Furthermore, a raised strip is provided on the top of the metal sheet, and the raised strip contacts the GPS & WIFI 2.4G module and the WIFI 5G module.

[0017] Furthermore, the substrate is provided with heat dissipation fins, and the heat exchange tubes pass through the heat dissipation fins.

[0018] Furthermore, the second long-arm WIFI 2.4G limb is adjacent to the WIFI 5G limb.

[0019] Furthermore, the cable tray tube is elastic.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0021] The multi-limb encircling coupling structure of the GPS & WIFI 2.4G modules allows multiple limbs to act on the same frequency, effectively widening the bandwidth of GPS and WIFI 2.4G while improving signal reception and transmission efficiency. The WIFI 5G module forms additional resonance with adjacent modules, further increasing the bandwidth. In complex outdoor environments with poor signal (such as mountainous areas, urban high-rise areas, and areas with dense multiple devices), its performance is superior to conventional single-limb antennas.

[0022] A complete circulating heat dissipation path is formed by heat-absorbing pipes along the edges of the antenna segments, the bottom bridge tubes, and the serpentine heat exchange tubes. This system specifically absorbs heat from areas of concentrated heat in the antenna (such as segment connection points and large segments), and combines this with rapid heat dissipation through heat dissipation fins, making it suitable for high-temperature outdoor environments. The micro-valve module on the bridge tubes utilizes the thermal expansion and contraction characteristics of phase change materials to achieve intelligent control of local heat dissipation. When the temperature reaches a threshold, the coolant flow rate is automatically increased to enhance heat dissipation; when the temperature decreases, the flow rate returns to the baseline, ensuring heat dissipation efficiency while avoiding energy waste, and adapting to the large temperature fluctuations characteristic of outdoor environments. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a plan view of the outdoor multi-arm segmented coupling antenna of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the outdoor multi-arm segmented coupling antenna of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the outdoor multi-arm segmented coupling antenna of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the heat-absorbing tube in the outdoor multi-arm segmented coupling antenna of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the microvalve module in the outdoor multi-arm segmented coupled antenna of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the state changes of the microvalve module in the outdoor multi-arm segmented coupled antenna of the present invention.

[0029] In the picture:

[0030] 1. Substrate; 2. Heat absorber tube; 3. Heat exchanger tube; 4. Miniature piezoelectric pump; 5. Gold finger feed point one; 6. Gold finger ground point one; 7. Long-arm WIFI 2.4G coupling antenna segment one; 8. Long-arm WIFI 2.4G segment two; 9. GPS segment two; 10. Long-arm GPS coupling antenna segment one; 11. Gold finger feed point two; 12. Gold finger ground point two; 13. WIFI 5G segment; 14. Cable tray tube; 15. Receiving slot; 16. Metal sheet; 17. Arc-shaped sheet; 18. Phase change material; 19. Bending cavity; 20. Protrusion strip; 21. Heat dissipation fins. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Example 1

[0033] Reference Figures 1-4 The first embodiment of the present invention provides an outdoor multi-arm segmented coupled antenna, including a substrate 1, and further including a GPS & WIFI 2.4G module and an adjacent WIFI 5G module printed on the substrate 1.

[0034] Furthermore, the GPS & WIFI 2.4G module includes a gold finger feed point 5 and a gold finger ground point 6. A U-shaped long-arm WIFI 2.4G coupling antenna segment 7 is connected to the gold finger ground point 6. A long-arm WIFI 2.4G segment 8 is connected to the gold finger feed point 5. A GPS segment 9 is connected to the long-arm WIFI 2.4G segment 8. A long-arm GPS coupling antenna segment 10 is connected to the GPS segment 10. The 2.4G limb 8, GPS limb 9, and long-arm GPS coupling antenna limb 10 together surround the long-arm WIFI 2.4G coupling antenna limb 7, which is connected to the long-arm WIFI 2.4G limb 8. The WIFI 5G module includes a gold finger feed point 11 and a gold finger ground point 12, which are both connected to the WIFI 5G limb 13. The long-arm WIFI 2.4G limb 8 is adjacent to the WIFI 5G limb 13.

[0035] Specifically, the long-arm WIFI 2.4G coupling antenna segment 7 extends from the ground point 6 of the gold finger, and is not laid out in a straight line. Instead, it forms a zigzag path through multiple bends. The direction and angle of the bends are flexibly adjusted according to the space of the substrate 1 to adapt to the installation size of different outdoor equipment.

[0036] After starting from the gold finger feed point 5, the long-arm WIFI 2.4G limb 28 extends a distance away from the long-arm WIFI 2.4G coupling antenna limb 7, and then approaches it through an arc-shaped turn, forming a "roundabout" encirclement structure.

[0037] GPS segment 29 is no longer a single continuous line segment, but a short segment branches out in the middle. This short segment is not connected to any other segment, but only serves as a "parasitic coupling unit". By adjusting its length and orientation, the resonant coupling effect with the GPS frequency band is further enhanced.

[0038] A small ring structure is provided at the end of the long-arm GPS coupling antenna segment 10. The ring structure is not closed, and its opening direction is towards the GPS segment 9. Through the near-field coupling of the ring structure with the adjacent segments, the effective bandwidth of the GPS frequency band is widened.

[0039] In this embodiment, the bandwidth and efficiency of WIFI 2.4G and GPS are increased by merging multiple segments into one frequency point. In the case of a multi-segment 2.4G antenna, there will be no resonance at the 5G-6G position, which will reduce the impact on the adjacent WIFI 5G antenna. The WIFI 5G antenna, through coupling with the adjacent antenna, has an additional resonance, which effectively increases the bandwidth. In complex and poor environments, it is more efficient and has a wider bandwidth than a conventional single-segment antenna.

[0040] Example 2

[0041] Reference Figures 1-6 This is the second embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment in that: heat absorption pipes 2 are provided on the edges of both the GPS & WIFI 2.4G module and the WIFI 5G module. The heat absorption pipes 2 are connected to serpentine heat exchange pipes 3, and miniature piezoelectric pumps 4 are provided on the heat exchange pipes 3 for circulating the coolant in the heat absorption pipes 2. Heat dissipation fins 21 are provided on the substrate 1, and the heat exchange pipes 3 pass through the heat dissipation fins 21. Multiple bridge pipes 14 are provided on the heat absorption pipes 2. The bridge pipes 14 are located at the bottom of the GPS & WIFI 2.4G module and the WIFI 5G module, and the bridge pipes 14 form a return flow path on the heat absorption pipes 2. The substrate 1 is provided with receiving grooves 15 for accommodating the bridge pipes 14.

[0042] Specifically, heat absorber tubes 2 are tightly fitted to the edges of both the GPS & WIFI 2.4G module and the WIFI 5G module. These heat absorber tubes 2 are made of a highly thermally conductive flexible material, allowing them to adapt flexibly to the direction of the antenna segments. When encountering the zigzag bend of the long-arm WIFI 2.4G coupling antenna segment 7, the heat absorber tube 2 bends synchronously while maintaining tight contact with the segment edge. At the bifurcation point of the GPS segment 9, the heat absorber tube 2 splits into two branches, respectively fitting the edges of the main segment and the parasitic short segment, ensuring precise coverage of each heat concentration point. The inner diameter of the heat absorber tube 2 is differentiated along its length: in high-heat areas where segments meet (such as the connection point between the long-arm WIFI 2.4G segment 8 and the GPS segment 9), the inner diameter is slightly larger to increase coolant flow; in the extension section of a single segment, the inner diameter is appropriately reduced to decrease overall pipeline resistance.

[0043] The serpentine heat exchange tube 3 is not uniformly curved, but rather adaptively laid out according to the space of the non-antenna area on the substrate 1. Near the edge of the module, the curvature is smaller to save space; in the open area in the middle of the substrate 1, the curvature increases to extend the heat exchange path of the coolant. A miniature piezoelectric pump 4 is integrated at the starting end of the serpentine heat exchange tube 3. Its pump body is made of low electromagnetic interference material, and the vibrations generated during operation are transmitted to the substrate 1 through damping pads, avoiding any impact on the resonant characteristics of the antenna segments. The pump body also has a built-in temperature sensing element, which can automatically adjust the pumping power according to the coolant temperature at the inlet of the heat absorber tube 2: when the temperature is higher than a threshold, the flow rate is increased to enhance heat dissipation; when the temperature is lower, the power is reduced to reduce energy consumption.

[0044] The multiple cable trays 14 connected to the heat absorber 2 adopt a "main-sub" layout: the main cable tray 14 extends along the bottom edge of both modules, forming a through-flow return path; the sub-cable trays 14 branching off from the main cable tray 14 penetrate deep into the module, precisely covering the bottom of larger antenna segments (such as the long-arm GPS coupling antenna segment 10 and the main segment of the WIFI 5G module). The receiving groove 15 on the substrate 1 perfectly matches the orientation of the cable tray 14. A layer of thermally conductive gel is laid in the groove. When the cable tray 14 is embedded, the gel is squeezed to fill the gaps, ensuring the stability of the pipeline and enhancing the heat conduction from the bottom of the segment to the cable tray 14. At the junction of the GPS & WIFI 2.4G module and the WIFI 5G module, the cable tray 14 is designed with an arc-shaped transition structure to avoid sudden changes in coolant flow resistance caused by right-angle turns. At the same time, the diameter of this arc-shaped section is slightly thicker, which can serve as a local buffer to balance the heat dissipation requirements of the two modules.

[0045] Reference Figures 5-6A micro-valve module is installed on the cable tray 14. The micro-valve module includes a metal sheet 16 installed on the cable tray 14 and an arc-shaped sheet 17 connected below the metal sheet 16. The cable tray 14 passes between the metal sheet 16 and the arc-shaped sheet 17. The space between the metal sheet 16 and the GPS & WIFI 2.4G module and the WIFI 5G module is filled with a thermally expanding phase change material 18. A bending cavity 19 is provided on the substrate 1, allowing the arc-shaped sheet 17 to be bent downwards. The cable tray 14 is elastic. A protrusion 20 is provided above the metal sheet 16, and the protrusion 20 contacts the GPS & WIFI 2.4G module and the WIFI 5G module.

[0046] The distribution of micro-valve modules along the cable tray tube 14 adopts a "hotspot targeting" layout. In the GPS & WIFI 2.4G module, independent micro-valve modules are set at the connection point between the long-arm WIFI 2.4G coupling antenna segment 7 and the long-arm WIFI 2.4G segment 8, the bifurcation point of the GPS segment 9, and the intersection area of ​​the main segment and the sub-segment of the WIFI 5G module. Each module is responsible for controlling the heat dissipation efficiency of the cable tray tube 14 segment within its coverage area.

[0047] The metal sheet 16 is made of copper alloy with high elastic recovery performance. It has a shallow dish shape, with a straight center that gradually thins towards the edges, which are designed with slightly upward-curving arc edges. The center of the metal sheet 16 is fixedly connected to the protrusion 20, which is fixed within the bending cavity 19. This shape allows the metal sheet 16 to bend downwards more smoothly on both sides when under stress, avoiding deformation jamming caused by stress concentration. A 0.5-1mm gap is reserved between the upper surface of the metal sheet 16 and the bottom of the antenna segment. The phase change material 18 filling this gap is encapsulated in an ultra-thin aluminum cavity. The top surface of the cavity is tightly fitted to the protrusion 20 of the metal sheet 16, while the bottom surface is connected to the metal layer of the antenna segment via thermally conductive adhesive, ensuring that heat can be quickly transferred from the antenna segment to the phase change material 18. The melting point of the phase change material 18 is set according to the antenna's normal operating temperature threshold. When the local temperature does not reach the threshold, it remains solid and provides stable support for the metal sheet 16.

[0048] The arc-shaped plate 17 is made of corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy and is fixed to the edge of the metal plate 16 to form a concentric arc structure. The cable tray tube 14 passes between the metal plate 16 and the arc-shaped plate 17, maintaining an initial gap of 0.2-0.3mm between the tube body and the inner walls of both plates. The cable tray tube 14 is made of silicone material reinforced with carbon fiber, which has both good elastic recovery and high thermal conductivity. At room temperature, the metal plate 16 is in a horizontal position supported by the phase change material 18, and the cable tray tube 14 is slightly compressed into a flat ellipse shape, allowing only a small amount of coolant to pass through to maintain the basic heat dissipation flow.

[0049] How this embodiment works:

[0050] When the local temperature of the antenna rises to the melting point of the phase change material 18, the phase change material 18 melts rapidly and produces a volume expansion of 15%-20%. The expansion force pushes the two sides of the metal sheet 16 to bend downward along the arc of the arc sheet 17. At this time, the gap between the metal sheet 16 and the arc sheet 17 increases to 3-4 times the initial state. The elastic bridge tube 14 restores its circular cross-section under its own tension, and the coolant flow rate increases instantly. The bridge tube 14 in this area quickly removes the heat from the bottom of the antenna.

[0051] When the local temperature of the antenna drops below the freezing point of the phase change material 18, the phase change material 18 contracts and returns to a solid state. The metal sheet 16, under its own elastic force, returns to its original position and slightly compresses the cable tray tube 14 again, causing its cross-section to shrink. The coolant flow rate returns to the basic level. Through this closed-loop response mechanism of "temperature-deformation-flow rate", each microvalve module can independently and precisely control the heat dissipation intensity of its coverage area. This avoids energy waste in the overall heat dissipation system and can quickly activate enhanced heat dissipation when the antenna overheats locally, significantly improving the stability of the antenna operation in complex outdoor environments.

[0052] The remaining structures are the same as those in Embodiment 1. It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications and substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An outdoor multi-arm limb coupled antenna comprising a substrate (1), characterized in that: GPS&WIFI2.4G module and WIFI5G module are printed on the substrate (1); The edge of the GPS&WIFI2.4G module and the WIFI5G module is provided with a heat absorption pipe (2), the heat absorption pipe (2) is connected with a serpentine heat exchange pipe (3), the heat exchange pipe (3) is provided with a micro piezoelectric pump (4) for circulating the cooling liquid in the heat absorption pipe (2); The heat absorption pipe (2) is provided with a plurality of bridge pipes (14), the bridge pipes (14) are arranged at the bottom of the GPS&WIFI2.4G module and the WIFI5G module, the bridge pipes (14) form a backflow passage on the heat absorption pipe (2), and the substrate (1) is provided with a containing groove (15) for containing the bridge pipes (14); The bridge pipe (14) is provided with a micro valve module. The micro valve module comprises a metal sheet (16) arranged on the bridge pipe (14), an arc-shaped sheet (17) connected below the metal sheet (16), the bridge pipe (14) passes through the metal sheet (16) and the arc-shaped sheet (17), the metal sheet (16) and the GPS&WIFI2.4G module and the WIFI5G module are filled with a phase change material (18) which expands under heat, and the substrate (1) is provided with a bending cavity (19) for allowing the arc-shaped sheet (17) to bend downward.

2. The multi-armed limb-coupled antenna for outdoor use according to claim 1, characterized by: The GPS&WIFI2.4G module comprises a gold finger feed point one (5) and a gold finger ground point one (6), the gold finger ground point one (6) is connected with a long-arm WIFI2.4G coupling antenna limb one (7) in the shape of, the gold finger feed point one (5) is connected with a long-arm WIFI2.4G limb two (8), the long-arm WIFI2.4G limb two (8) is connected with a GPS limb two (9), the GPS limb two (9) is connected with a long-arm GPS coupling antenna limb one (10), the long-arm WIFI2.4G limb two (8), the GPS limb two (9) and the long-arm GPS coupling antenna limb one (10) jointly enclose the long-arm WIFI2.4G coupling antenna limb one (7), and the long-arm WIFI2.4G coupling antenna limb one (7) is connected with the long-arm WIFI2.4G limb two (8); The WIFI5G module comprises a gold finger feed point two (11) and a gold finger ground point two (12), and the gold finger feed point two (11) and the gold finger ground point two (12) are jointly connected with a WIFI5G limb (13).

3. The multi-armed limb-coupled antenna for outdoor use according to claim 1, characterized by: The metal sheet (16) is provided with a convex strip (20) above, and the convex strip (20) is in contact with the GPS&WIFI2.4G module and the WIFI5G module.

4. The multi-armed limb-coupled antenna for outdoor use according to claim 1, characterized by: The substrate (1) is provided with a heat dissipation fin (21), and the heat exchange pipe (3) passes through the heat dissipation fin (21).

5. The multi-armed limb-coupled antenna for outdoor use according to claim 2, characterized by: The long-arm WIFI2.4G limb two (8) is adjacent to the WIFI5G limb (13).

6. The multi-armed limb-coupled antenna for outdoor use according to claim 1, characterized by: The bridge pipe (14) is elastic.

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