Curved Foldable Wireless Device Antenna Length Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile communication devices face challenges in providing accessible interface elements when in the opened configuration and struggle to accommodate lower frequency bands efficiently due to compact size constraints, leading to reduced antenna length and radiation efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A mobile communication device with a rugged clamshell design featuring a full QWERTY keyboard, dual display screens, and extended antennae, housed in a curved body that fits comfortably in a hip pocket, allowing increased surface area and antenna length for improved reception and transmission quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the mobile communication device is made compact to fit in hip pockets, then portability is improved, but antenna length and radiation efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidantenna length
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a conventional planar device layout to a three-dimensional curved surface architecture. The device body is formed with a curved outer surface that allows antenna elements to be distributed across multiple spatial dimensions and surface curvatures, effectively increasing antenna length and radiation surface area within a compact device volume that fits in hip pockets.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs a curved, non-planar outer surface architecture where antenna elements are positioned along curved paths and surfaces. This curvature allows the antenna structure to pack more length into a smaller volume while maintaining radiation efficiency, as the curved geometry provides additional spatial distribution for antenna elements without increasing the device's linear dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Volume of moving object

If antenna length is reduced to fit compact device design, then device size is improved, but radiation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidradiation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes three-dimensional curved surface architecture to distribute antenna elements across multiple spatial dimensions. This allows the antenna structure to achieve effective radiating length and surface area comparable to larger devices, while the overall device volume remains compact. The curved geometry provides additional spatial distribution that compensates for the reduced linear dimensions.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The curved outer surface architecture enables antenna elements to follow curved paths that pack more radiating length into a smaller volume. The curvature provides geometric advantage where the antenna structure can maintain radiation efficiency by distributing elements along curved surfaces, effectively increasing the electrical length without increasing the device's external dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3017588B1Foldable curved wireless communication device for insertion into hip pocket
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 LUMBARD JOHN ASHMORE
  • EP3017588B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3017588B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3017588B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile communication device which comprises a first member with first surface having a first curvature and a second surface having a second curvature; a second member having first surface with a third curvature and a second surface with a fourth curvature. A hinge pivotally connects the first and second members with one another such that they are movable between opened and closed configurations. The first and the second curvatures of the first member combine with one another and form a combined average curvature for the first member and the third and the fourth curvatures of the second member combine combined with one another and form a combined average curvature for the second member. The combined average curvature for the first member and the combined average curvature for the second member combine with one another to form a combined average curvature for the communication device which is 8 feet or less.