Flexible PCB Wireless Charging Antenna Layout for Wearables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices face challenges in efficiently charging their batteries due to limited internal space, making it difficult to implement multiple wireless charging antennas without using separate flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs) or printed circuit boards (PCBs).
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a printed circuit board layer with both flexible and rigid areas, where wireless charging antennas with a coil shape are placed in flexible areas and connected in parallel to a wireless charging circuit located in a rigid area, allowing for optimal use of internal space and efficient charging without the need for additional FPCBs or PCBs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple wireless charging antennas are equipped in wearable electronic devices, then charging efficiency is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple wireless charging antennas onto a single FPCB, merging what would traditionally be separate components into one integrated structure. This allows multiple antennas to coexist in a compact wearable device without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as they share common mounting infrastructure and control circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The FPCB serves multiple functions: it acts as both the mounting substrate for the wireless charging antennas and as the flexible circuit board for general device connectivity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated antenna mounting structures, thereby improving charging efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple wireless charging antennas are equipped in wearable electronic devices, then charging efficiency is improved, but internal space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple antennas onto a single FPCB, the patent reduces the total space required compared to having separate antenna assemblies. The shared FPCB structure eliminates redundant mounting spaces and allows compact arrangement of multiple antennas in a confined wearable device interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The FPCB is a flexible thin-film substrate that allows antennas to be mounted in a compact, space-efficient manner. The flexibility enables the antennas to conform to available internal spaces in wearable devices, maximizing space utilization while maintaining multiple antenna configurations for improved charging efficiency.
3Reliability
If separate FPCB or PCB is used for wireless charging antennas, then antenna performance is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wireless charging antenna mounting function with the general-purpose FPCB, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated antenna PCB. This integration maintains antenna performance by providing adequate mounting and electrical connection while reducing overall device complexity by consolidating circuit board requirements.
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 enhances charging efficiency by allowing multiple wireless charging antennas to be used within wearable devices, improving power transmission and reducing interference, while minimizing the impact of limited space constraints.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic inductive charging, which adopts electromagnetic induction and places the wireless power transmitter (e.g., power supply) and the wireless power receiver (e.g., wearable electronic device or smartphone) adjacent to effective area to charge the battery
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include a printed circuit board layer including a plurality of flexible areas and a plurality of rigid areas, a wireless charging circuit disposed in one rigid area among the plurality of rigid areas, and a plurality of wireless charging antennas disposed in the plurality of flexible areas and including a coil shape. The plurality of wireless charging antennas each may be electrically connected in parallel with the wireless charging circuit. Other various embodiments identified through the specification are possible.