Vehicle Cradle with Integrated Antenna and Amplifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cellular network signals often weaken in remote areas, leading to dropped calls due to interference from buildings or increased distance from base stations, necessitating a solution to enhance signal reliability between mobile devices and cellular networks.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device cradle integrated with antennas and/or amplifiers is used, which can be mounted in a vehicle, providing a centralized location for signal enhancement by amplifying both uplink and downlink signals, either with internal components or external amplifiers, to improve signal strength in weak coverage areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If cellular network amplifiers are placed in separate locations from cell phones, then signal coverage area is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the amplifier, antenna, and mobile device cradle into a single integrated unit. This merging of previously separate components (amplifier and antenna placed away from the cell phone) reduces system complexity while maintaining signal coverage improvement, directly resolving the contradiction between expanded coverage area and reduced device complexity
2Reliability
If amplifiers are integrated into the cradle, then signal strength is improved, but cradle size and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the amplifier and antenna components within the existing cradle structure. By placing these signal enhancement components inside or within the cradle's volume, the design integrates multiple functions without significantly increasing the external dimensions of the cradle, thus resolving the contradiction between improved signal strength and maintained compact size
3Ease of operation
If multiple components are integrated into the cradle, then installation simplicity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs modular segmentation where the cradle is designed with distinct functional modules (docking area, amplifier section, antenna elements) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled through standardized interfaces. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components while achieving the benefit of integrated installation, resolving the contradiction between installation simplicity and manufacturing complexity
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 cradle effectively boosts cellular network signals, reducing dropped calls and improving communication reliability in areas with poor reception, while offering compact designs suitable for vehicles with limited space.
Implementation Method 1
a connection to an antenna capable of communicating signals to and from a base station of the communication network
Implementation Method 2
embodiments of the present invention relate to using a device cradle that is preferably mounted in the interior of a vehicle which is configured to removably receive handsets and other mobile devices. The device cradle is coupled or integrated with antennas and/or amplifiers in order to improve the cellular network signal between the mobile device and the cellular network
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a mobile device cradle, having one or more docking members for removably receiving a mobile device capable of sending and receiving communications via a communication network in the form of signals, a connection to an antenna capable of communicating signals to and from a base station of the communication network, and a means for communicating signals to and from the mobile device. In the preferred embodiment, the mobile device cradle is mounted inside a vehicle and is used to improve the signal between the mobile device and the communication network.