Circularly Polarized Antenna Eliminating Wire Feed Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circularly polarized patch antennas require perturbation features and wire feed lines that are impractical for integration with vehicle windows, leading to reliability issues and increased manufacturing costs due to soldering requirements and potential defects from window vibrations.

Innovation Solution

A circularly polarized antenna design featuring two radiating patches with elongated axes perpendicular to each other, utilizing electromagnetic coupling for signal feeding, which eliminates the need for wire feed lines and simplifies integration on nonconductive panes like vehicle windows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wire feed lines are used to feed the patch antenna, then RF signals can be transmitted, but the antenna requires soldering which is labor intensive and results in defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical soldering connection with an electromagnetic field-based feeding mechanism. The feed line is positioned beneath the patch antenna and couples energy through electromagnetic induction, eliminating the need for physical solder joints while maintaining RF signal transmission. This substitution resolves the contradiction by improving reliability through elimination of soldering defects while dramatically simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If perturbation features are added to generate circular polarization, then circularly polarized signals can be received, but the antenna aesthetics are degraded and manufacturing is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircular polarization capabilityVSAvoidantenna aesthetics

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical perturbation features (such as slots, holes, or asymmetric elements) with an electromagnetic field-based polarization control mechanism. The feed line configuration and positioning create the necessary electromagnetic field distribution to generate circular polarization without modifying the physical shape of the patch antenna. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining clean, aesthetic antenna surfaces while achieving the required circular polarization capability through field manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If wire feed lines are soldered to the patch antenna, then electrical connection is achieved, but window vibrations affect solder joints causing reliability issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolder joint reliabilityVSAvoidvibration sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical solder joint connection with a non-contact electromagnetic coupling system. The feed line is positioned beneath the patch antenna and transfers energy through electromagnetic induction rather than physical connection. This eliminates the vulnerability to vibration-induced solder joint failures while maintaining effective RF signal transmission, directly resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and vibration resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If perturbation features are used to create circular polarization, then signal reception is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircular polarization functionVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical perturbation features with a simplified electromagnetic field-based solution. The feed line configuration alone generates the necessary circular polarization through its electromagnetic coupling with the patch antenna, eliminating the need for additional perturbation elements. This resolves the contradiction by achieving circular polarization functionality while maintaining simple, cost-effective manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 achieves circular polarization without perturbation features, enhancing aesthetics and manufacturing efficiency while ensuring reliable installation on nonconductive surfaces, reducing the risk of defects and improving overall antenna performance.

Implementation Method 1

A feeding element is disposed between the radiating patches for feeding RF signals from and/or to the radiating patches via electromagnetic coupling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The elongated axis of the first radiating patch is disposed at about a 90 degree angle with respect to the elongated axis of the second radiating patch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCircular polarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentUS8754819B2Antenna system including a circularly polarized antenna

Publication Date: 2014.06.17 AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS CO

AI summary

An antenna system includes a circularly polarized (CP) antenna for receiving and/or transmitting a circularly polarized RF signal. The CP antenna includes a pair of radiating patches each having an elongated shape. An elongated axis is defined along a longest length of each of the radiating patches. The elongated axes are disposed generally perpendicular to one another to generate the circular polarization. A coplanar waveguide feeding element is disposed between the radiating patches for feeding RF signals from and/or to the radiating patches via electromagnetic coupling. A width of the slot of the coplanar waveguide is varied to provide impedance matching of the CP antenna with a transmission line.