3D Keep-Out Antenna Module for Bend-Stable Frequency Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable antenna modules experience frequency band drifting due to bending, leading to reduced transmission efficiency, as they are typically rigid and not adaptable to individual body curvatures.
Innovation Solution
An antenna module with a flexible multilayer printed circuit board, featuring a three-dimensional keep-out area for the antenna and an electrically insulated metal piece, allowing adjustment of the metal piece's size to maintain signal integrity without altering the antenna pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the antenna module is made rigid for structural stability, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to body curvatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna module is segmented into multiple functional layers (antenna layer, keep-out area layer, metal piece layer, insulating layers) that can be independently designed and positioned. This segmentation allows the antenna pattern to remain stable while the overall structure adapts to curvatures through the flexible circuit board configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional planar antenna design to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement by introducing a keep-out area that extends through multiple layers and a metal piece positioned at a specific depth. This dimensional change allows the antenna to maintain its radiation pattern while the flexible circuit board adapts to body curvatures
2Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna module is made flexible to adapt to body curvatures, then adaptability is improved, but frequency band stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The keep-out area is pre-configured in the flexible circuit board to counteract the frequency band drifting that occurs during bending. By strategically positioning this area before bending occurs, the design preemptively compensates for the deformation effects, maintaining frequency stability even when the module adapts to body curvatures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the circuit board by introducing a keep-out area with specific dimensions and positioning a metal piece at a controlled distance from the antenna. These parameter changes create a structural configuration that maintains electrical characteristics stable during bending, allowing frequency band stability to be preserved while adaptability is improved
3Reliability
If a keep-out area is introduced to stabilize frequency band, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The keep-out area functionality is merged with the existing flexible circuit board structure rather than being added as a separate component. The metal piece is integrated into the multi-layer board construction, combining multiple functions (frequency stabilization, structural support, electrical isolation) into a unified design that minimizes overall complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna module comprises: a circuit board, having a three-dimensional keep-out area; an antenna, disposed on the circuit board and located in the keep-out area; and a metal piece, disposed on the circuit board and located in the keep-out area, wherein the metal piece is electrically insulated from the antenna.