Antenna Protective Structure for Connector and Cable Impact Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Antennas, particularly those used in communication devices for measuring electromagnetic interference and compatibility, face damage from collisions and wear and tear due to insufficient protection of their components such as connectors and cables, leading to frequent replacements or repairs.
Innovation Solution
A protective structure is designed to be attached to the antenna, featuring a body with apertures for receiving prongs and a cable, and a tongue with an attachment aperture for mounting, which secures the antenna and prevents damage without affecting its performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the antenna is used without additional protection, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability deteriorates due to damage from collisions and wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure is designed to receive and nest the antenna components (prongs, RF connector, cable) within its body, creating a nested configuration where the antenna is housed inside the protective structure. This nesting approach provides protection while maintaining a compact integrated form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective structure is divided into distinct functional segments: a body for receiving components, a tongue for attachment, and specific apertures for different antenna parts. This segmentation allows each part to serve its specific protective function while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Reliability
If a protective structure is added to the antenna, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure merges multiple protective functions into a single integrated component. The body, tongue, and various apertures are combined into one unified structure that simultaneously protects prongs, RF connectors, and cables, reducing the need for multiple separate protective elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the antenna from physical damage, provides structural support, enables mounting attachment, and allows cable management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the protective structure is designed to receive all antenna components, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure implements local quality by providing different types of protection and reception features at different locations. The body has specific apertures tailored for prongs, RF connectors, and cables, with each aperture designed to match the specific component it receives, providing localized protection where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective structure utilizes a shell-like body that encloses and protects the antenna components. This shell configuration provides comprehensive protection while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard forming processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A protective structure, to protect an antenna from damage, is provided. The protective structure includes a body. The body defines one or more prong-receiving apertures in a first surface of the body, wherein through each aperture of the one or more prong-receiving apertures, the body is configured to receive a prong of one or more prongs of the antenna. The body defines a radio frequency (RF) connection aperture extending from the first surface of the body to a second surface of the body, wherein the body is configured to receive a cable through the RF connection aperture to couple a cable connector of the cable to an RF connector of the antenna.