Annular GPS Antenna Layout for Solar-Powered Electronic Timepieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices with external antennas face issues of oxidation and corrosion due to exposure to open air, necessitating enclosure which complicates miniaturization and affects antenna performance.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device design featuring a bezel with a resin material and discontinuous metal deposition, combined with a miniaturized antenna shape and dielectric casing, enhances protection and performance by reducing capacitive coupling and wavelength shortening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the antenna is accommodated inside the electronic device, then protection against oxidation and corrosion is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is integrated with the circuit board, forming a unified structure where the antenna pattern is formed by conductive traces on the PCB. This merging eliminates the need for separate antenna components and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining internal accommodation benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board serves dual functions: as the structural platform for electronic components and as the antenna element itself. The conductive traces on the circuit board perform both electrical connection and radio wave reception functions, reducing the number of separate components needed
2Volume of moving object
If the antenna is miniaturized, then device size is reduced, but antenna performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna utilizes the Z-dimension (thickness direction) by creating a three-dimensional antenna structure with patterns on both the front and back surfaces of the circuit board. This vertical dimensionality allows the antenna to achieve resonant lengths suitable for GPS frequencies while keeping the device footprint small
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna pattern is nested within the circuit board structure, with conductive traces formed directly on the PCB substrate. The antenna elements are embedded within the board thickness, allowing the antenna functionality to be contained within the device housing without protruding externally
3Area of stationary object
If the solar panel overlaps the antenna, then space utilization is improved, but radio wave reception is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is designed with regions of different electrical characteristics: high-impedance regions under the solar panel overlap area to minimize capacitive coupling, and low-impedance regions at the antenna edges for optimal signal reception. This local variation in electrical properties allows the solar panel to overlap the antenna area without significantly degrading reception performance
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
The design maintains a metallic appearance while preventing corrosion, improves shock resistance, and ensures efficient GPS signal reception with enhanced antenna performance and miniaturization.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing dielectric materials to enhance radio wave reception and reduce capacitive coupling
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes: a circuit board; an antenna; a solar panel; and at least one contact member. The antenna has an annular shape in a plan view from a first direction, has at least an outer peripheral edge and an inner peripheral edge, and has a notch at the inner peripheral edge. The at least one contact member electrically connects the solar panel and the circuit board. The solar panel, the antenna, and the circuit board are arranged in order from the first direction. The contact member is at a position corresponding to the notch.