Flexible Antenna Weatherproofing and Impact Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Standard adjustable antennas lack a robust weatherproof interface and have limited flexibility, leading to potential damage from impact loads transferred to the housing or antenna connector.

Innovation Solution

A flexible antenna assembly with a waterproof protection system, featuring a bendable structure, a housing interface, and overmolded protection sections to provide weatherproofing and absorb impact loads, allowing for infinite directional adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a standard adjustable antenna is used, then the antenna can be mounted on a housing, but it lacks a robust weatherproof interface and transfers impact loads to the housing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweatherproof interfaceVSAvoidimpact load transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is divided into separate functional components: the antenna element, the bendable structure, the housing interface, and protection sections. This segmentation allows the rigid antenna to be decoupled from the housing through flexible intermediaries, preventing impact load transfer while maintaining weatherproofing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A bendable structure made of flexible material is introduced between the antenna and housing, allowing the antenna to absorb impact loads through bending rather than transferring forces to the housing. The flexible material also provides weatherproof sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If an adjustable antenna is used, then the antenna can be positioned in different directions, but it only allows rotation along one axis and lacks 3-dimensional flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirectional adjustmentVSAvoidflexibility mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system transitions from single-axis rotation to three-dimensional positioning by introducing a bendable structure that can flex in multiple directions. This adds spatial dimensions to the adjustment capability without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna system incorporates dynamic flexibility through the bendable structure, which can adapt its shape and orientation in real-time. This allows the antenna to achieve various positions and angles by bending rather than through complex mechanical joints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a rigid antenna is used, then the antenna structure is simple, but it transfers large impact loads to the housing or antenna connector

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna structureVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bendable structure acts as a pre-configured cushioning element between the rigid antenna and the housing. When impact occurs, the flexible material absorbs and dissipates the shock energy through deformation, protecting the housing and connector from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Productivity

If off-the-shelf antennas are used, then the antenna can be quickly deployed, but there is a lack of robust weatherproof interface design

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidweatherproof interface

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing interface is designed as a universal component that combines multiple functions: mechanical mounting, weatherproof sealing, and impact absorption. This multi-functional design allows standard antennas to be quickly deployed while achieving robust weatherproofing through the integrated flexible sealing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution ensures a weatherproof and impact-resistant flexible antenna that does not transfer loads to the housing, offering infinite directional adjustment and strain-relieved bending, enhancing durability and protection.

Implementation Method 1

The bendable structure is a malleable material that remains in a bent position when bent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The first protection section covers the antenna and provides a weatherproof cover over the antenna

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS9419331B1Flexible antenna with weatherproof protection system and method of weather proofing and adding a flexible feature to existing antennas

Publication Date: 2016.08.16 KCF TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

An antenna assembly including an antenna, an antenna cable, a bendable structure, a housing interface, a first protection section and a second protection section. The bendable structure is a malleable material that remains in a bent position when bent. The first protection section covers the antenna and provides a weatherproof cover over the antenna. The housing interface mounts to a housing and covers the antenna cable in an area of the antenna cable adapted to enter the housing and the housing interface prior to entrance providing a weatherproof cover over the area of the antenna cable adapted to enter the housing. The second protection section is overmolded over a portion of the housing interface, the antenna cable, the bendable structure and a portion of the first protection. The second protection section is a flexible material.