Crimped Antenna Cable Joint Without Soldered Conductive Film

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna assemblies require soldering to fix conductive films to antenna bodies, which complicates the assembly process and reduces workability.

Innovation Solution

The antenna assembly incorporates crimp portions on the antenna body and connected portions on the conductive film, allowing the crimp portions to be crimped onto the conductor portion of the electric cable with the connected portions in between, eliminating the need for soldering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If soldering is used to fix the conductive film to the antenna body, then the connection reliability is improved, but the assembly complexity and manufacturing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal/mechanical soldering process with a mechanical crimping system. The crimp portion of the antenna body is formed to mechanically clamp the conductive film between itself and the cable connector, eliminating the need for soldering while maintaining secure electrical connection. This mechanical substitution simplifies the assembly process and reduces manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the connection method from thermal bonding (soldering) to mechanical bonding (crimping). The crimp portion is designed with specific geometric parameters that allow it to deform and clamp the conductive film securely. This parameter change in the connection mechanism eliminates soldering requirements while maintaining reliable electrical connection between the conductive film and cable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If soldering is used to fix the conductive film to the antenna body, then the electrical connection is improved, but the production efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the time-consuming soldering process with a rapid mechanical crimping operation. The crimp portion is pre-formed on the antenna body to match the cable connector geometry, allowing for quick assembly without heating equipment, flux application, or cooling time. This mechanical system dramatically improves production efficiency while maintaining secure electrical connection through the crimped joint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The crimp portion is pre-formed on the antenna body during the molding process, before assembly with the cable and conductive film. This preliminary action eliminates the need for post-assembly soldering operations, allowing the conductive film to be simply夹持 between the crimp portion and cable connector. This pre-prepared structure significantly accelerates production while ensuring reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If soldering is used to fix the conductive film to the antenna body, then the joint strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost and process time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint strengthVSAvoidprocess time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the multi-step soldering process with a single mechanical crimping action. The crimp portion is designed with sufficient clamping force to create a strong mechanical and electrical joint between the antenna body, conductive film, and cable connector. This mechanical joint achieves adequate strength without the time-consuming soldering steps, reducing overall process time while maintaining joint integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the joint formation method from thermal fusion (soldering) to mechanical deformation (crimping). The crimp portion geometry and material properties are optimized to provide sufficient clamping force and electrical conductivity. This parameter change in the connection mechanism achieves adequate joint strength for the application while eliminating the time loss associated with soldering processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11984652B2Antenna assembly
Publication Date: 2024.05.14 JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS IND LTD
  • US11984652B2 patent drawing
  • US11984652B2 patent drawing
  • US11984652B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An antenna assembly includes an antenna body formed of a sheet metal, an electric cable, and a conductive film. The antenna body includes at least one crimp portion. The conductive film has a main portion and at least one connected portion extending from the main portion. The electric cable has a conductor portion 46. The at least one crimp portion is crimped to the conductor portion in a state that at least one connected portion lies between the conductor portion and the at least one crimp portion.