Annular Antenna Notch Structure for Stable Resonance in Small Wearables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Miniaturization of antennas in electronic devices such as electronic timepieces leads to a shift in resonant frequency, causing them to operate outside the desired frequency band.

Innovation Solution

The antenna is designed with an annular shape and includes notches and protrusions to increase the inner perimeter, along with a dielectric resin case to maintain resonance within the desired frequency band.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the antenna element is miniaturized to improve device size, then the device can be worn more comfortably, but the resonant frequency shifts to higher frequencies causing the antenna to operate outside the desired frequency band

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna sizeVSAvoidfrequency band accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by introducing notches at specific positions on the annular antenna element. These notches create an asymmetric geometry that increases the effective electrical length of the antenna without increasing its physical size. The asymmetric distribution of conductive material modifies the current path length, allowing the miniaturized antenna to resonate at the desired lower frequency band rather than shifting to higher frequencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the dimensional approach by adding notches that extend in the radial direction from the annular structure. This creates additional dimensional complexity in the antenna geometry, transforming a simple planar ring into a multi-dimensional structure with varying radial depths. This dimensional modification increases the effective electrical length while maintaining compact physical dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the antenna is accommodated inside the electronic device case, then protection from oxidation and corrosion is improved, but the antenna size is constrained making miniaturization difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidantenna size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nesting by integrating the annular antenna element within the electronic device case structure. The antenna is positioned inside the case, utilizing the internal space efficiently. The notches in the annular structure allow the antenna to be nested within the limited space while maintaining its protective enclosure, achieving both corrosion resistance through case accommodation and miniaturization through efficient space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4343963B1Antenna, electronic device, and electronic timepiece
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD
  • EP4343963B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4343963B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4343963B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

An antenna (6) has an annular shape in a plan view from a first direction (I) and has at least an outer peripheral edge (60a) and an inner peripheral edge (60b). The antenna includes at least one latch (63) on the inner peripheral edge. The inner peripheral edge has at least one first notch (64) at which the inner peripheral edge is away from a center of the annular shape in the plan view.