Dielectric Coupler Layout for Stable Near-Field Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, couplers arranged in proximity to each other face challenges due to dimensional tolerances in housings, leading to insufficient received signal magnitudes and potential contact issues, which hinder high-speed communication.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a communication apparatus with a dielectric body featuring a hole, recessed part, or a dielectric body with a lower relative dielectric constant in the region between conductors to reduce coupling capacitance, thereby enhancing received signal amplitude and reducing noise-induced errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If couplers are arranged in proximity to each other to improve communication performance, then communication efficiency is improved, but received signal amplitude decreases due to coupling capacitance and potential contact issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidreceived signal amplitude

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A ground conductor is introduced as an intermediary element between the first and second signal conductors. This ground conductor acts as a shield that reduces capacitive coupling between the signal conductors, thereby maintaining signal integrity while allowing the couplers to be positioned in close proximity for efficient electromagnetic coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The dielectric body is designed with non-uniform properties - specifically, the relative dielectric constant varies in different regions. By positioning areas with different dielectric constants in specific locations around the conductors, the patent optimizes both the coupling efficiency between transmit and receive couplers and the reduction of parasitic capacitance between adjacent conductors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If couplers are arranged in proximity to each other to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but dimensional tolerances cause distance variations that reduce received signal magnitude

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcoupler distance control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent compensates for dimensional tolerances by strategically selecting and positioning dielectric materials with specific relative dielectric constants. By changing the dielectric parameters in the regions between conductors and around couplers, the system maintains consistent electrical characteristics despite variations in physical distances caused by manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration increases the amplitude of received signals and improves communication quality by minimizing coupling capacitance without necessitating a reduction in coupler distance, thus enhancing communication performance.

Implementation Method 1

a second coupler provided on the first dielectric body and configured to be coupled to a first coupler included in another communication apparatus by electric field coupling or magnetic field coupling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field coupling: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field coupling: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

the first dielectric body is provided with a hole, a recessed part, or a second dielectric body with a lower relative dielectric constant than a relative dielectric constant of the first dielectric body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric permittivity: Dielectric Permittivity

Data Source

PatentUS12592473B2Communication apparatus and communication system

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 CANON KK

AI summary

A communication apparatus configured to perform wireless communication includes a first dielectric body, and a second coupler provided on the first dielectric body and configured to be coupled to a first coupler included in another communication apparatus by electric field coupling or magnetic field coupling, wherein the second coupler includes a first conductor and a second conductor, and wherein the first dielectric body is provided with a hole, a recessed part, or a second dielectric body with a lower relative dielectric constant than a relative dielectric constant of the first dielectric body, in at least a portion of a region that is projected onto a region between the first conductor and the second conductor.