Imaging Device Antenna Placement Resolving Reflection Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Metal exterior members in electronic devices can interfere with communication performance when a communication antenna is integrated, leading to reduced robustness and image quality issues in spherical imaging systems, particularly when the antenna is positioned within the maximum angle-of-view optical path.
Innovation Solution
The imaging device incorporates a metal casing with a resin casing configuration, where the communication antenna is strategically positioned between the optical paths of the wide-angle lenses, avoiding reflection and maintaining image quality, while the resin casing covers the antenna to prevent radio wave interference and enhance durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a communication antenna is disposed inside a metal exterior member, then the robustness and high-grade appearance are obtained, but the communication performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The exterior member is divided into a metal portion and a nonmetal portion. The communication antenna is disposed on the surface of the first outer layer member (metal portion) and covered with the second outer layer member (nonmetal portion). This segmentation allows the metal portion to provide robustness while the nonmetal portion covering the antenna area ensures desired communication performance without requiring openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The exterior member uses a composite structure combining metal and nonmetal materials. The first outer layer member is made of metal for strength, while the second outer layer member covering the antenna is made of nonmetal material to prevent radio wave interference. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction between structural strength and communication performance.
2Reliability
If a large opening is formed in an exterior member to avoid covering the antenna, then communication performance is maintained, but the robustness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forming a large opening in the metal exterior member, the patent segments the exterior member into metal and nonmetal portions. The nonmetal portion is strategically placed only where the antenna is located, allowing communication performance to be maintained without compromising the overall structural robustness of the metal exterior member.
Solution Approach 2:
The exterior member has different material properties in different locations. The first outer layer member (metal) provides robustness in areas not related to antenna communication, while the second outer layer member (nonmetal) is applied locally at the antenna position to ensure communication performance. This local differentiation of material quality resolves the contradiction between overall strength and localized communication requirements.
3Device complexity
If the communication antenna is disposed inside the maximum angle-of-view optical path, then compact design is achieved, but the antenna is reflected in the spherical image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary consideration in antenna placement - positioning the antenna on the surface of the first outer layer member and covering it with the second outer layer member. This configuration allows the antenna to be disposed in a compact manner while the covering structure prevents direct reflection into the optical path, thus maintaining image quality without sacrificing compactness.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An imaging device (1) includes a casing (10); a plurality of optical systems (A and B) held by the casing (10); and a communication antenna (110) held by the casing (10). The communication antenna (110) is disposed in an area outside an optical path of light of a maximum angle of view of each of the plurality of optical systems (A and B).