Built-In Antenna RF Coupling Structure Without Soldered Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless lighting devices face challenges in connecting RF modules to antennas due to RF fading from luminaire shielding, and current connection methods like soldering and spring connections increase costs and complexity, with reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A positioning member within the housing aligns a circuit board with an antenna, using RF coupling portions for stable connection without soldering or springs, enabling capacitive or inductive coupling for reliable RF transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If soldering is used to connect the feed point to the antenna, then the connection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and manual labor is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical soldering process with an electrical field-based capacitive coupling mechanism. The feed point and antenna are connected through a capacitor formed by two conductive plates separated by a dielectric, eliminating the need for manual soldering while maintaining reliable RF signal transmission.
2Adaptability or versatility
If spring connection or pogo pin connection is used between the circuit board and antenna, then the assembly is made more flexible, but the device complexity increases and additional cost is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connection function and mechanical positioning function into a single integrated structure. The circuit board directly positions the feed point adjacent to the antenna through its structural design, eliminating the need for separate spring connections or pogo pins, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining assembly flexibility.
3Volume of moving object
If the antenna is placed inside the bulb housing, then the space utilization is improved, but the RF signal is blocked by the end cap shielding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the antenna from the interior of the bulb housing and positions it on the external surface of the housing. This extraction removes the antenna from the RF-shielded environment created by the end cap, allowing RF signals to propagate freely while the antenna remains compact and integrated with the housing structure.
4Stability of the object's composition
If manual soldering is used for the connection, then the connection stability is improved, but the assembly time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual soldering process with an automated-friendly capacitive coupling structure that can be assembled through simple positioning and clamping. This substitution enables automated assembly lines to produce the device at high speed while maintaining stable RF connections through the rigid mechanical positioning of the capacitor structure.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective, reliable, and space-efficient RF coupling between the circuit board and antenna, minimizing interference and assembly complexity while maintaining consistent performance.
Implementation Method 1
enabling capacitive or inductive coupling for reliable RF transmission
Implementation Method 2
enabling capacitive or inductive coupling for reliable RF transmission
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device comprises a housing having an internal surface, a circuit board within the housing, an RF circuit mounted on the circuit board and an antenna formed on the housing. A positioning member is formed on the internal surface of the housing, and it engages and positions the circuit board. A first RF coupling portion is formed on the positioning member, and electrically connects to the antenna and a second RF coupling 5 portion is formed on the circuit board and electrically connects to the RF circuit. When the circuit board is fitted to the positioning member, the second RF coupling portion is aligned with, and RF coupled to, the first RF coupling portion so as to provide a RF coupling between the antenna and the RF circuit, characterized in that said first RF coupling portion is adapted to provide the RF coupling as the feed of the antenna structure.