Conductive Display Plate Antenna for GPS Timepiece
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna devices in electronic timepieces face challenges in reducing size while maintaining communication sensitivity and design integrity, particularly due to material selection and phase control requirements for receiving circularly polarized waves.
Innovation Solution
An antenna device with a first electrode, a second electrode, and a dielectric layer, where the first electrode constitutes part of the character plate, allowing for efficient reception of circularly polarized waves without the need for insulating materials or phase control, and the second electrode forms part of the mechanical body, minimizing size and design restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If an antenna is provided on the rear side of the display plate, then the appearance of the electronic timepiece is maintained, but the material selection for the display plate is restricted to insulating members
Solution Approach 1:
The display plate is designed to serve dual functions: as a visual display component and as an antenna element for receiving electromagnetic waves. By making the display plate itself conductive and integrating it into the antenna structure, the patent eliminates the need for separate antenna components while enabling both aesthetic and functional requirements to be met simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the display plate and antenna into a single integrated component. The conductive display plate serves as both the visual interface and the radio frequency receiving element, combining two previously separate functions into one unified structure that eliminates material selection restrictions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple chip-like elements are arranged to receive circularly polarized waves, then GPS signal reception is enabled, but the device complexity increases due to phase changing means and control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The single conductive display plate performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the ground element, the radiating element, and the phase reference for receiving circularly polarized GPS signals. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate phase changing means and complex control mechanisms while maintaining full signal reception capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex phase changing means and control systems from the antenna structure. By using the conductive display plate itself as the antenna element, the design removes unnecessary components while retaining the ability to receive circularly polarized waves effectively.
3Volume of moving object
If the cover glass is used as the antenna dielectric, then the receiver size is reduced, but feed terminals and conductive thin films must be provided on the front surface, obstructing visual recognition
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing feed terminals and conductive elements on the front surface of the cover glass, the patent inverts the antenna structure by using the rear surface of the display plate as the antenna element. This inversion allows the antenna functionality to be achieved without any elements on the front surface, thus maintaining unobstructed visual recognition while keeping the receiver compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the antenna elements from the front surface (two-dimensional plane) to the rear surface and thickness dimension of the display plate. This dimensional relocation allows the antenna to function within the existing structure without adding visual obstructions on the front surface, maintaining both compact size and clear visibility.
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 antenna device effectively receives positioning signals from satellites with minimal size and design impact, reducing the number of constituent elements and avoiding restrictions on material selection and phase control, thus enhancing communication performance.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna device which is provided in an electronic timepiece, and receives positioning signals from satellites
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna device which is provided in an electronic timepiece, and receives positioning signals from satellites includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a dielectric layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein one electrode of the first electrode and the second electrode constitutes at least a part of a character plate of the electronic timepiece.