Capacitively Coupled Foldable Antennas Without Hinge RF Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable communication devices face challenges in maintaining effective wireless performance across various physical configurations due to changes in electrical size of the ground plane and impedance tuning, especially when bridging RF cables across hinges is impractical or impossible, leading to detuning and diminished antenna performance in 'folded closed' and 'folded open' modes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electrically driven antennas in one device portion capacitively coupling with capacitively coupled antennas in another portion, eliminating the need for RF cables across hinges, and using variable impedance elements to tune antennas for optimal performance across different configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RF cables are used to connect antennas across hinges, then wireless communication functionality is maintained, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to cable management issues in folded configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the RF cable from the antenna system by using capacitively coupled antennas that do not require physical cable connections across the hinge. The capacitively coupled antennas are electrically driven through capacitive coupling rather than direct cable connections, removing the cable management problem entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces capacitively coupled antennas as an intermediary between the electrically driven antennas and the ground plane. These intermediate structures enable wireless communication functionality without requiring direct cable connections, mediating the electromagnetic field coupling across the hinge gap.
2Volume of moving object
If device portions are folded into compact configurations, then portability is improved, but antenna detuning and performance degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs variable impedance elements that can dynamically adjust their electrical characteristics based on the device's physical configuration. This allows the antenna system to adapt and maintain proper tuning whether the device is folded or unfolded, compensating for changes in ground plane electrical size and antenna spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the antenna system by using variable impedance elements that can alter capacitance and inductance values. This enables the system to maintain resonant frequencies and impedance matching across different physical configurations, preventing detuning when the device is folded.
3Shape
If bezel sizes are reduced for industrial design, then device aesthetics and screen-to-body ratio are improved, but antenna performance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the third dimension (depth/layering) by placing capacitively coupled antennas and variable impedance elements in multiple layers within the device structure. This allows antenna elements to be positioned in available space without requiring large bezel areas, maintaining performance while enabling smaller front-facing displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different structural qualities to different regions of the device by using capacitively coupled antennas with specific geometric configurations in different locations. This allows optimization of antenna performance in each local region regardless of bezel size, enabling compact designs to achieve adequate wireless 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
This solution enhances the electrical aperture of the antenna system, maintains effective wireless performance across multiple device configurations, and accommodates industrial design requirements by reducing bezel sizes without compromising antenna performance.
Implementation Method 1
each of the electrically driven antennas in the first device portion capacitively drives at least a corresponding one of the capacitively coupled antennas in the second device portion
Data Source
AI summary
A physically configurable communication device includes a conductive chassis. The physically configurable communication device includes a first device portion including one or more electrically driven antennas at least partially formed in the conductive chassis of the physically configurable communication device and an electrical feed in the first device portion connected to the one or more electrically driven antennas. The electrical feed is configured to supply a communication signal to the one or more electrically driven antennas. A second device portion is movably attached to the first device portion. The second device portion includes one or more capacitively coupled antennas at least partially formed in the conductive chassis of the physically configurable communication device, wherein each of the electrically driven antennas in the first device portion capacitively drives at least a corresponding one of the capacitively coupled antennas in the second device portion.