Dielectric Lens Housing for Millimeter-Wave Sensing Through Metal Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Millimeter-wave radiation is insufficient for environment, object, and gesture sensing in electronic devices due to blocking by electrically conductive layers, such as metal touchscreens, which hinder the radar signal's radiation pattern.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a dielectric lens formed by a portion of the device's housing to refract millimeter-wave signals around the conductive layer, enhancing the radiation pattern towards the opposite side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a metal layer is used for touch display, then the display structure is achieved, but the millimeter-wave signal radiation is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
A dielectric lens is introduced as an intermediary component between the millimeter-wave circuitry and the metal touch display layer. The lens refracts and directs the millimeter-wave signals around the conductive metal layer, allowing the touch display structure to be maintained while enabling signal transmission to the other side.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution redirects the millimeter-wave signals into a different spatial dimension by using the dielectric lens to refract signals at angles that allow them to bypass the metal layer plane and emerge on the opposite side, effectively changing the propagation dimension of the signals.
2Device complexity
If millimeter-wave circuitry is placed behind the metal layer, then device integration is improved, but signal radiation pattern becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric lens serves as a mediator that enables the millimeter-wave circuitry to function effectively when positioned behind the metal layer. It compensates for the signal blocking effect, maintaining sensing performance while allowing the integrated device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric lens changes the propagation parameters of the millimeter-wave signals by refracting them at specific angles, transforming the radiation pattern from one that is blocked by the metal layer to one that successfully transmits through the device structure.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a dielectric lens is added to refract signals, then signal transmission is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric lens is integrated with existing device components such as the housing or structural elements, merging the lens function with components that already exist in the device. This approach improves signal transmission while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric lens is designed to serve multiple functions: it refracts millimeter-wave signals, maintains structural integrity of the device, and can be integrated with existing housing or display components. This multi-functionality reduces the net increase in device 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 dielectric lens enhances the radiation pattern, allowing for more precise and reliable sensing of gestures and movements by increasing the intensity of millimeter-wave signals beyond the conductive layer.
Implementation Method 1
The housing comprises at least one portion configured as a dielectric lens to refract the mmw signal at least partially outside the housing towards a second side opposite to the first side of the electrically conductive layer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
An electronic device (100,200) is provided. The electronic device comprises a housing (110) and an electrically conductive layer (120). Further, the electronic device comprises a millimeter-wave, mmw, circuitry (130) configured to emit a mmw signal. The mmw circuitry is arranged in the housing and on a first side of the electrically conductive layer. The housing exhibits at least one portion configured as a dielectric lens (112) to refract the mmw signal at least partially outside the housing towards a second side opposite to the first side of the electrically conductive layer.