Nested Antenna Layout for Compact Electronics With Stable Gain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic apparatuses with antennas and circuit boards face challenges in reducing size while maintaining antenna characteristics, as components like circuit boards and ICs near the antenna can cause gain reduction and impedance mismatch, and noise from these components affects antenna performance.

Innovation Solution

The configuration involves superimposing radio waves from two antenna elements, with one placed inside the other, and using a short-circuit member to increase antenna gain and reduce noise effects, allowing for a smaller profile and efficient power supply without a battery, while maintaining stable antenna characteristics across a wide frequency range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the size of the electronic apparatus is reduced by placing components near the antenna, then the apparatus size decreases, but antenna gain reduces and impedance mismatch occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus sizeVSAvoidantenna characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The first antenna element is placed inside the second antenna element, creating a nested configuration. This allows the antenna elements to occupy the same spatial envelope, reducing the overall apparatus size while maintaining the antenna radiation characteristics. The nested structure enables compact integration without significant degradation of antenna performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A short-circuit member is introduced as an intermediary component between the antenna elements and the circuit board. This short-circuit member acts as a shield or barrier that reduces the adverse effects of the circuit board and mounted components on antenna characteristics, thereby maintaining antenna gain and impedance matching while allowing compact component placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If components are placed near the antenna to reduce size, then integration increases, but noise from components adversely affects antenna characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration levelVSAvoidnoise interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The short-circuit member serves as an intermediary barrier between the noise-generating components (circuit board, IC, sensor) and the antenna elements. This intermediate structure shields the antenna from electromagnetic noise and heat radiation, reducing interference while maintaining the integrated compact design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The nested arrangement of antenna elements within the apparatus structure allows for compact integration of all components. By carefully nesting the antenna elements inside the housing and positioning them relative to the circuit board and other components, the design achieves high integration while managing noise through spatial separation and shielding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 effectively reduces the size of the electronic apparatus while minimizing adverse effects on antenna characteristics, enabling increased antenna gain and stable performance despite components like circuit boards and ICs being near the antenna, and allows for power supply without a battery.

Implementation Method 1

a first antenna element 10 and a booster antenna 20 including a radiation plate 21 radiating radio waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a short wall 23 that short-circuits the radiation plate 21 and the ground plate 22

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical short-circuit: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

causing an antenna to receive radio waves, converting the radio waves thus received into DC power, and supplying the DC power to a load such as a sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3832801B1Electronic apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 OMRON CORP
  • EP3832801B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3832801B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3832801B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes a first antenna element, a second antenna element including a ground plate, a radiation plate provided facing the ground plate, and a short-circuit member, the radiation plate being configured to radiate radio waves, the short-circuit member configured to short-circuit the radiation plate and the ground plate, and a circuit board on which a wiring pattern electrically connected to the first antenna element is provided and a predetermined element is mounted. The first antenna element is provided between the ground plate and the radiation plate, and the radiation plate receives radio waves emitted from the first antenna element and radiates the radio waves.