Combined Bluetooth and NFC Antenna Assembly for Ring Wearables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact electronic devices, such as ring-shaped wearable devices, face challenges in integrating Bluetooth and Near-Field Communication (NFC) antennas due to limited space, which affects wireless performance and requires additional components for wireless charging, increasing the device's size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A combined Bluetooth and NFC antenna assembly is designed to occupy less space, using a metal substrate for Bluetooth and a ferrite layer with a loop antenna for NFC, positioned at the top of the ring-shaped device to minimize radio frequency absorption by adjacent fingers and enable wireless charging, thus maintaining performance and reducing the device's footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate Bluetooth and NFC antenna components are integrated into the ring-shaped device, then wireless communication functionality is achieved, but the device size and internal space consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines Bluetooth and NFC antenna components into a single integrated antenna assembly. The Bluetooth antenna and NFC antenna are positioned in close proximity and share common structural elements, including a shared mounting structure and overlapping ground planes, thereby reducing the overall space required for wireless communication functionality while maintaining both communication capabilities simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna assembly is designed to perform multiple wireless communication functions (Bluetooth and NFC) within a single integrated structure. The shared ground plane and common mounting structure serve both Bluetooth and NFC operations, allowing the device to achieve versatile wireless communication capability without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional wireless charging components are added to the device, then wireless charging capability is enabled, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless charging coil is integrated into the same antenna assembly structure that houses the Bluetooth and NFC antennas. The charging coil shares the common mounting structure and ground plane with the communication antennas, thereby enabling wireless charging capability without requiring a completely separate component system, thus reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna assembly is designed as a multi-functional unit that simultaneously supports Bluetooth communication, NFC communication, and wireless charging operations. This universal design allows a single structural platform to serve multiple wireless functions, reducing the need for additional separate components and simplifying the overall device architecture.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If antenna components are positioned at the top of the ring-shaped device, then radio frequency absorption by adjacent fingers is minimized, but the available space for component integration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna assembly is specifically positioned at the top of the ring-shaped device where it is least likely to contact adjacent fingers during wear. This strategic placement minimizes the harmful effect of radio frequency absorption by body parts while the integrated design of the antenna components maximizes the efficient use of the limited space available at this location.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna components are arranged in a vertically stacked configuration within the limited horizontal space at the top of the device. By utilizing the vertical dimension for component layering and overlapping ground planes, the design accommodates multiple antenna elements and wireless charging coil within the constrained area without compromising their separation from adjacent fingers.
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 allows for efficient wireless communication and charging in a compact form factor, reducing the device's size and internal space consumption while maintaining performance, enabling features like voice command functionality and wireless payments.
Implementation Method 1
Near-Field Communication (NFC) antenna assembly
Implementation Method 2
Bluetooth antenna assembly
Implementation Method 3
ferrite layer with a loop antenna for NFC, positioned at the top of the ring-shaped device to minimize radio frequency absorption by adjacent fingers
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for ring-shaped devices with combined Bluetooth and NFC antenna assemblies. In one embodiment, an example device may include an inner shell, an outer shell coupled to the inner shell, where the outer shell and inner shell together form a first side portion, a second side portion, and a lower portion of the ring-shaped device, a battery, and an antenna assembly that forms an upper portion of the ring-shaped device. The antenna assembly may include a metal substrate, a ferrite layer disposed on the metal substrate, and a metallic loop structure disposed on the ferrite layer.