Foldable Flexible Antenna Packaging for Compact Safe Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional flat panel antennas have large physical dimensions, leading to increased packaging volume, transportation costs, and risks of damage during logistics due to their rigid materials, which complicates handling, storage, and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A flexible antenna packaging structure with a folding design using a flexible substrate and a teardrop-shaped elastic space between folding lines, allowing the antenna to be compactly folded and stored, maintaining electrical performance, and utilizing a packaging container that matches the folded antenna dimensions for stability and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rigid materials are used for flat panel antennas, then structural strength is improved, but packaging volume increases and transportation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional rigid materials with flexible substrates that can be folded into compact configurations. The flexible substrate maintains structural integrity while enabling the antenna to be folded into a small package, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and packaging volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the flat panel antenna into multiple foldable sections with folding lines, allowing the antenna to be folded into a compact configuration. This segmentation enables the antenna to maintain structural strength while significantly reducing packaging volume for transportation.
2Reliability
If large flat panel antennas are packaged in larger boxes, then antenna protection is improved, but handling and storage become unfavorable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the antenna from a static rigid structure to a dynamic foldable structure. The antenna can be folded into a compact configuration for protected packaging and transportation, then unfolded to its full functional size for use, improving both protection and ease of handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent folds the antenna into a compact nested configuration that fits within a smaller packaging container. The folded antenna sections are nested within each other, reducing the overall package size while maintaining protection during transportation.
3Reliability
If large dimension packaging structure is used, then antenna safety during transportation is improved, but space cost increases and transportation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the antenna to transition between a compact folded state for efficient transportation and a full-size unfolded state for operation. This dynamic transformation allows the antenna to occupy minimal space during transit while maintaining safety, directly improving transportation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes folding along specific lines to transform the two-dimensional flat panel antenna into a compact three-dimensional folded configuration. This dimensional transformation significantly reduces the packaging volume required during transportation while maintaining antenna integrity and safety.
4Volume of stationary object
If flexible substrate is folded, then packaging volume is reduced, but risk of over-folding and electrical performance degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary protective measures in the folding design, including pre-defined folding lines and elastic spaces that prevent over-folding. These preliminary structural features ensure that the flexible substrate can be folded into a compact configuration without degrading electrical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different structural characteristics to different regions of the flexible substrate. Folding lines are designed with specific properties to guide bending, while elastic spaces are created in specific locations to accommodate folding without compromising the electrical performance of the antenna elements.
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 design significantly reduces packaging volume, transportation costs, and minimizes damage risks while ensuring the antenna's electrical performance and stability, facilitating easy unpacking and use without complex operations.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic space with a teardrop-shaped cross-section is formed between the flexible substrate on both sides of the folding line in each folding
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna packaging structure includes a packaging container and an antenna contained within the packaging container. The antenna includes a flexible substrate, an antenna element disposed on the flexible substrate, a feeder structure connected to the antenna element, and a coaxial cable connected to the feeder structure. The flexible substrate inside the packaging container is in a folded state with a folding line thereof avoiding the feeder structure, and an elastic space with a teardrop-shaped cross-section is formed between the flexible substrate on both sides of the folding line in each folding. The antenna element is folded along with the flexible substrate and maintains electrical properties after being unfolded. The coaxial cable is disposed in the elastic space or between the flexible substrate and the packaging container.