Adjustable Antenna Arrangement for Fluid Meters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Classic fluid meters and heat meters often face difficulties in accessibility, making direct reading of fluid consumption challenging due to installation locations that are hard to access or blocked, and require different antenna geometries for various resonant frequencies, leading to the need for multiple antenna designs and components.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable antenna arrangement with a contacting path that can change its position relative to a ground section, allowing for adjustment of antenna parameters such as resonant frequency and impedance, enabling the use of identical antenna designs for different frequency bands by modifying the antenna geometry through the position of contacting means like capacitors or coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different antenna geometries are used for different resonant frequencies, then the antenna can operate at the required frequency, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable contacting element that can be positioned at different locations along the adjustment section, dynamically changing the antenna geometry and resonant frequency. This allows a single antenna structure to adapt to multiple frequency requirements without requiring multiple fixed antenna designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the antenna by varying the position of the contacting element along the adjustment section. This modifies the effective electrical length and impedance of the antenna, enabling frequency tuning and adaptation without changing the physical antenna structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antenna designs are used for different frequency bands, then the antenna can cover more frequency ranges, but the manufacturing complexity and component variability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal antenna design where a single antenna structure with an adjustable contacting element can serve multiple frequency bands. The adjustment section with movable contacting means enables one antenna to perform the function of multiple frequency-specific antennas, standardizing manufacturing processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If the antenna geometry is fixed, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the antenna cannot be adjusted for different resonant frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna structure into a fixed antenna element and an adjustable adjustment section with a movable contacting element. This segmentation allows the main antenna geometry to remain simple for manufacturing while the adjustment section provides frequency adaptation capability through repositioning the contacting means.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for uniform antenna designs to be used across different frequency bands, simplifying manufacturing and reducing component variability, while also enabling flexible adjustment of antenna parameters during operation to broaden the frequency range, thus improving accessibility and readability of meter data.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna for transmitting and/or receiving information by means of electromagnetic waves
Implementation Method 2
the antenna geometry comprises not only the antenna itself but also at least a portion of the contact section or the adjustment section, the extent of which depends on the position of the contacting element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Antenna arrangement for an electrical device (24), in particular designed as a fluid meter or a heat meter, comprising an antenna (2) for transmitting and/or receiving information by means of electromagnetic waves, wherein the antenna arrangement (1) has an adjustable section (3) designed as a contact section which is electrically connected to the antenna (2) or is a part of the antenna (2), wherein the antenna arrangement (1) has a contacting means (4) which is arranged on the adjustable section (3) in a positionally variable or fixed position with respect to the contact section, wherein the adjustable section (3) is electrically connected via the contacting means (4) to a ground section (5) of the antenna arrangement (1) which forms an electrical ground.