Antenna Structure With Aligned Dielectric Macromolecules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna structures for broadband signal transmission in electromagnetically sensitive environments, such as radar systems and computer tomographs, face challenges in minimizing unwanted interactions with neighboring devices and maintaining transmission quality due to interference from external fields, while conventional structural shields are complex, expensive, and restrictive to movement.

Innovation Solution

The antenna structure employs a dielectric carrier material with macromolecules aligned along the longitudinal direction of the stripline, enhancing homogeneity and symmetry, which limits and predicts the extent of electric and magnetic fields, and incorporates a mechanical reinforcement layer and equipotential surfaces to minimize interference and improve mechanical strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If structural shields are used to limit electromagnetic fields, then interference with other devices is reduced, but the relative movement between strip conductor and probe is restricted and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the dielectric material by aligning macromolecules in a preferred direction, creating anisotropic properties that limit electromagnetic field extent without requiring additional structural shields. This parameter change in the dielectric material's molecular orientation achieves field containment while maintaining movement freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite dielectric material consisting of aligned macromolecules in a plastic layer, combining electrical insulation properties with directional field limitation capabilities. This composite structure replaces the need for separate structural shields while providing both mechanical support and electromagnetic field control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional dielectric materials are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but homogeneity and symmetry of the dielectric are insufficient leading to unpredictable field extent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedielectric homogeneityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-aligning the macromolecules in the dielectric material during manufacturing to achieve the desired homogeneity and symmetry before the antenna structure is assembled and put into service. This pre-alignment ensures predictable field behavior without requiring complex adjustments during operation or assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the molecular orientation parameter of the dielectric material by aligning macromolecules in a preferred direction, transforming conventional isotropic dielectric into an anisotropic material with enhanced homogeneity and symmetry properties that enable predictable electromagnetic field behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach ensures predictable and spatially limited fields, reducing interference and enhancing transmission quality while maintaining mechanical integrity, particularly suitable for rotating systems like computer tomographs, with bidirectional signal capability and reduced radiation.

Implementation Method 1

Strip conductors and thus predominantly capacitively or predominantly inductively coupled probes are used for the broadband transmission of electrical signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

An inductive coupling can also be used to transmit electrical signals between the stripline and the probe. The magnetic field created by applying a voltage between the strip conductor and the reference electrode is used here, which induces a current in the probe.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

Alignment along a preferred direction produces a pronounced anisotropy of the dielectric, but at the same time also ensures very good homogeneity and symmetry of the dialectic on both sides of the conductor structure.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric anisotropy: Anisotropy

Data Source

PatentEP2923409B1Antenna structure for the wide-band transmission of electrical signals
Publication Date: 2016.11.02 GAT GESELLSCHAFT FUER ANTRIEBSTECHNIK MBH
  • EP2923409B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2923409B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to an antenna structure for the wide-band transmission of electrical signals, which has a stripline and a probe that can be capacitively or inductively coupled to the stripline, wherein the stripline and the probe are arranged so as to be movable in relation to each other within a specified distance range between the probe and the stripline in the longitudinal direction of the stripline such that electrical signals can be transmitted between the stripline and the probe without contact, wherein the stripline comprises at least one strip electrode facing the probe, a reference electrode, and a dielectric carrier material located between the strip electrode and the reference electrode. In order to provide a wide-band and economical device for signal transmission that has a conductor structure that achieves high symmetry of the signal and low attenuation values even at high frequencies, the dielectric carrier material comprises, according to the invention, a homogeneous plastic layer containing macromolecules, said plastic layer being characterized by an orientation of the macromolecules along a preferred direction.