Cable-Integrated Radio Antenna for Small Receiver Signal Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Miniaturized terminals, such as smartphones and electronic keys, face challenges with antenna size limitations, leading to poor radio signal reception quality, fragility, and inability to optimize antenna orientation, which affects the restitution of audiovisual content.

Innovation Solution

Integrating the antenna into the power or communication cable, allowing it to be housed within the cable sheath, enabling better signal quality, flexibility, and protection, while avoiding interference with existing cable functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the antenna is made small to fit within miniaturized terminals, then the terminal size is reduced, but the reception quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal sizeVSAvoidreception quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is extracted from the terminal body and relocated to the cable. This allows the terminal to maintain its miniaturized form while the antenna, now outside the terminal constraints, can achieve sufficient size for good reception quality. The cable serves as the new support structure for the antenna.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna is moved from the two-dimensional plane of the terminal's printed circuit board to the three-dimensional space provided by the cable. This dimensional transition allows the antenna to extend in multiple directions and achieve optimal length and orientation for signal reception without being constrained by the terminal's compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the antenna is fixed on the terminal, then the terminal structure is simplified, but the antenna orientation cannot be optimized for reception

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal structureVSAvoidreception quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna transitions from a fixed, static position on the terminal to a flexible, movable configuration within the cable. The user can adjust the antenna's orientation and position along the cable to optimize reception quality for different locations and signal sources, while the terminal itself maintains its simple, compact structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the antenna is placed behind the television, then the terminal can be positioned conveniently, but the antenna sensitivity and effectiveness are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal positioningVSAvoidantenna sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into two independent components: the terminal and the antenna. The terminal can be positioned conveniently behind the television or in other optimal locations for data processing, while the antenna can be separately positioned in locations that maximize signal reception, such as near the television or in areas with better signal strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the antenna is left hanging outside the receiver, then the antenna can be optimally oriented, but the device becomes difficult to handle and the antenna is fragile

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna orientationVSAvoiddevice handling
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is enclosed within the cable's protective sheath, which acts as a flexible protective shell. This protects the antenna from damage and makes the overall device more robust and easier to handle, while still allowing the antenna to be positioned and oriented optimally by adjusting its position within the flexible cable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution enhances antenna quality, reduces size constraints, and improves reception by allowing adjustable orientation and protection, while maintaining the cable's original functionality.

Implementation Method 1

an antenna for the reception, and possibly the transmission, of broadcast radio waves carrying electrical signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3201985B1Mobile radio antenna for a small receiver
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 ORANGE SA
  • EP3201985B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3201985B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP3201985B1 patent drawingFigure 8

AI summary

A mobile radio antenna for a small receiver. The invention concerns a system comprising a terminal (1) and a cable (2). The terminal (1) comprises: a data transceiver module (WIFI) for data to be played back on a playback device (3), said data being received or transmitted by at least one antenna (26, 26a, 26b, 76); a connection module (HDMI, MHL) for connection to the playback device (3) via a communication medium (7,8) capable of exchanging data with the playback device; a connection module (USB, MHL) for connection to a power supply device via a power supply medium (25) capable of transporting an electric power supply, the cable (2,7) comprising the communication medium (7) and/or power supply medium (2); a connector (4) for connecting same to the terminal, the system being characterised in that the cable further comprises said antenna (26) and in that the antenna is electrically separate from the connector (5,8).