Antenna Structure with Proximity Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antenna structures for portable devices require separate and spaced proximity sensors, leading to increased size and manufacturing costs, and suffer from interference that reduces the sensitivity of the proximity sensing function.
Innovation Solution
An integrated antenna structure with a coupled-fed antenna and proximity sensor on a single circuit substrate, where the antenna's patterned conductive layer acts as a capacitor electrode for the proximity sensor, reducing volume and interference by decoupling the conductive layers from the ground and signal feed lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate proximity sensors are provided away from the antenna, then the proximity sensing function can be implemented, but the device size increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna and proximity sensor into a single integrated structure. The antenna's patterned conductive layer serves dual purposes: as the antenna element for wireless communication and as the capacitor electrode for the proximity sensor. This merging eliminates the need for separate proximity sensors and reduces the overall device size while maintaining the proximity sensing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patterned conductive layer of the antenna is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the radiating element for wireless signals and as the capacitor electrode for detecting proximity. This multi-functionality allows the antenna structure to provide both communication and sensing capabilities without requiring additional components, thereby reducing device size and manufacturing cost.
2Reliability
If separate proximity sensors are provided away from the antenna, then the proximity sensing function can be implemented, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna and proximity sensor into a single integrated structure. The antenna's patterned conductive layer serves dual purposes: as the antenna element for wireless communication and as the capacitor electrode for the proximity sensor. This merging eliminates the need for separate proximity sensors and reduces the overall device size while maintaining the proximity sensing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patterned conductive layer of the antenna is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the radiating element for wireless signals and as the capacitor electrode for detecting proximity. This multi-functionality allows the antenna structure to provide both communication and sensing capabilities without requiring additional components, thereby reducing device size and manufacturing cost.
3Reliability
If the patterned conductive layer is in direct contact with ground and signal feed lines, then electrical connection is established, but interference to the proximity sensor increases and sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the proximity sensor's capacitor electrode function from the traditional separate sensor design and integrates it into the antenna structure. By using the antenna's patterned conductive layer as the capacitor electrode and isolating it from direct contact with ground and signal feed lines through dielectric layers, the design maintains electrical connection for antenna function while eliminating interference that would reduce proximity sensor sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dielectric layers as intermediary structures between the patterned conductive layer and the ground/signal feed lines. These dielectric layers serve as mediators that allow the patterned conductive layer to maintain its antenna function while preventing direct electrical contact that would cause interference to the proximity sensor, thereby preserving measurement precision.
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 design miniaturizes the antenna structure, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances the sensitivity of the proximity sensor by eliminating direct contact with interfering components, allowing for effective power reduction when an external object is detected.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor (33) and a dielectric layer (34); The proximity sensor has a peripheral circuit electrically connected to the second conductive layer and a capacitance to digital circuit electrically connected to the peripheral circuit
Implementation Method 2
The first patterned conductive layer 23 and the second patterned conductive layer 24 are located correspondingly to present patterned traces of an inverted-F antenna, and two capacitors 25, 26 are connected to a signal line 27 and a ground line 28, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna structure includes a dielectric layer, on one side thereof a patterned conductive layer, a proximity sensor and a capacitor are provided. The patterned conductive layer includes a first and a second conductive layer that together form a coupled-fed antenna and respectively have a first and a second feed terminal connected to a signal feed line and a ground signal line. The proximity sensor includes a peripheral circuit connected to the second feed terminal, and a capacitance to digital circuit. The capacitor is connected between the ground signal line and the second feed terminal. By integrating the coupled-fed antenna and the proximity sensor on one circuit substrate, a part of the antenna can be used as the proximity sensor's capacitor electrode to reduce the volume and manufacturing cost of the antenna, and the proximity sensor is not interfered by other parts of the antenna and thereby has increased sensitivity.