Flexible Antenna Structure with Buffer Blocks for Wearables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional antennas in wearable smart products are prone to breaking or falling off when curved or bent, leading to signal disruptions due to their rigid structure, which is not suitable for flexible electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

An antenna structure with a first base substrate, a second base substrate, a dielectric layer, and buffer blocks between the electrodes and the substrates, allowing the electrodes to curve without breaking and maintaining precise positioning, thus enhancing flexibility and signal accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional rigid antenna structures are used in wearable devices, then signal transmission can be maintained, but the antenna is prone to breaking or falling off when curved or bent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal integrityVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies flexible substrate materials (such as flexible printed circuit boards or thin flexible laminates) to replace rigid antenna structures. This allows the antenna to bend and curve without breaking, maintaining both signal integrity and flexibility for wearable applications. The flexible substrate enables the antenna to conform to curved surfaces while preserving electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If buffer blocks are added between electrodes and substrates to prevent breaking, then flexibility and bonding strength are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding forceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the buffer block functionality directly into the substrate structure or electrode mounting layer, combining multiple functions (mechanical support, stress distribution, and electrical connection) into a single integrated component. This reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, thereby decreasing device complexity while maintaining the bonding strength and flexibility benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 structure prevents electrode detachment and maintains signal integrity even when curved or bent, making it suitable for flexible electronic devices like wearable smart products by increasing bonding forces and buffering external forces.

Implementation Method 1

a dielectric layer (130) disposed between the first base substrate (110) and the second base substrate (120)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric polarization: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

an orientation of the liquid crystals between the emission patch and the ground electrode can be adjusted by the voltage applied to the emission patch, so as to adjust the resonant frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal reorientation: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentEP3611796B1Antenna structure and communication device
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3611796B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3611796B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3611796B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

An antenna structure and a communication device are provided. The antenna structure includes a first base substrate (110), a second base substrate (120), a dielectric layer (130) disposed between the first base substrate (110) and the second base substrate (120), and a plurality of first electrodes (115) disposed on a side of the first base substrate (110) close to the dielectric layer (130) and being spaced apart from one another. The antenna structure further includes at least one first buffer block (117) disposed between the first electrodes (115) and the first base substrate (110), the first buffer block (117) is at least partially and directly contacted with the first electrodes (115). Therefore, the antenna structure can be suitable for a flexible electronic device such as a wearable smart device.