Antenna Module With Flexible Printed Circuit for Directional Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional antenna modules have limited directional capabilities and complex connections between antennas, restricting their overall performance.

Innovation Solution

An antenna module comprising a first antenna device with a flexible printed circuit (FPC) coupled via a conductive structure, allowing the second antenna device to change directions via simplified structures, with the FPC connecting to both devices for flexible positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional antenna modules use fixed directional structures, then the manufacturing and connection structures are simple, but the directional flexibility and overall performance are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirectional flexibilityVSAvoidconnection structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna module is divided into multiple antenna devices (first antenna device and second antenna device) that can be independently positioned and oriented. Each antenna device can be separately connected to the FPC, allowing independent directional adjustment without affecting the entire structure, thus achieving directional flexibility while maintaining manageable connection complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a flexible printed circuit (FPC) that allows the second antenna device to be dynamically positioned at various locations and orientations. The FPC's flexibility enables the antenna devices to change directions and positions while maintaining electrical connections, providing adaptability without requiring complex rigid connection structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 3:

The FPC serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connections between antenna devices, allows positional adjustment, enables directional changes, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functional component reduces the need for separate specialized structures, achieving versatility while keeping the overall connection structure relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional antenna modules use fixed antenna directions, then the connection structures remain simple, but the ability to receive signals from different directions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal reception capabilityVSAvoidantenna connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The FPC enables the second antenna device to be dynamically positioned and oriented to receive signals from different directions. The flexible nature of the FPC allows real-time or configurable adjustment of antenna directions without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thus improving signal reception capability while maintaining connection structure simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The FPC acts as an intermediary component that provides flexible electrical connections between the antenna devices and the rest of the system. It mediates between the need for directional flexibility and the requirement for simple connections by absorbing the complexity of positioning and orientation adjustments within its flexible structure rather than requiring complex connection mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4207490A1Antenna module and antenna system applying the antenna module
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 MEDIATEK INC
  • EP4207490A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4207490A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4207490A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An antenna module (100), comprising: a first antenna device (Ad_1), which is an AiM, Antenna in Module, and comprises at least one first antenna (AT_11, AT_12, AT_13, AT_14); a first FPC, flexible printed circuit, (101), coupled to an outer surface of the first antenna device (AD_1) via a conductive structure (103); and at least one second antenna device (AD_2), coupled to the first FPC (101), comprising at least one second antenna (AT_2). By this way, an antenna module (100) which can change directions of antennas via simplified structures is provided. Further, an antenna system applying the antenna module is also provided.