GPS Antenna and Solar Cell Overlap for Compact Portable Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable electronic devices with GPS functionality face challenges in miniaturization due to the size of patch antennas used for receiving GPS signals, which complicates integration with solar panels and sensors, leading to increased device size.
Innovation Solution
A compact antenna configuration using a nonconductive member and a conductive body disposed on the surface of the nonconductive member, overlapping the solar cell, and capacitive coupling with the circuit board to enhance sensitivity and reduce size, allowing for a more compact and efficient arrangement of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patch antenna with high relative permittivity dielectric substance is used to receive GPS radio waves, then the antenna can effectively receive positioning satellite signals, but the antenna grows in size making the portable electronic apparatus too large for compact integration with display panels, sensors, and solar panels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna and solar panel into a single integrated structure. The solar panel serves dual functions: generating power and acting as the dielectric substrate for the antenna. This merging eliminates the need for separate antenna components and high relative permittivity dielectric substances, significantly reducing device volume while maintaining GPS reception capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar panel is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it generates electrical power through photovoltaic effect and serves as the functional substrate for the antenna system. This multi-functionality approach allows the device to achieve GPS reception without adding extra components that would increase size.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact antenna configuration is used to reduce device size, then the portable electronic apparatus can be miniaturized, but the antenna may lose sensitivity in receiving positioning satellite signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the antenna system by using the solar panel's inherent electrical properties (conductivity, thickness, material composition) as the dielectric substrate parameters. This parameter transformation allows the antenna to achieve effective GPS reception with a compact form factor, as the solar panel's physical and electrical characteristics are optimized to support antenna 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 configuration enables a smaller, more compact portable electronic device that maintains effective GPS signal reception and solar power generation without compromising the area available for the solar cell, thereby improving the device's overall design and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a solar cell disposed in the case
Implementation Method 2
an antenna section disposed in the case, including a nonconductive member and a conductive body disposed on a surface of the nonconductive member, and adapted to receive a positioning satellite signal
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic apparatus includes a case, a solar cell disposed in the case, a GPS antenna as an antenna section disposed in the case, including a base as a nonconductive member and a conductive body disposed on a surface of the nonconductive member, and adapted to receive a positioning satellite signal, and a circuit board disposed in the case, and electrically connected to the solar cell and the antenna section, and the antenna section overlaps the solar cell in a planar view viewed from a normal direction of light receiving surfaces of the solar cell.