Integrated Notch Antenna Feed Structure for Easier Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional notch antenna structures face challenges in manufacturing and assembly due to costly and complex feed arrangements, especially for planar notch antenna elements, leading to inefficient and time-consuming processes.
Innovation Solution
A notch antenna structure with an integral antenna element design featuring a flexible feeding arrangement, where each element shares a common base portion and has a feed point at the leg portion, allowing for convenient assembly and manufacturing as a single component, with options for flexible feeding via coaxial connectors or capacitive coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional feed arrangements are used for planar notch antenna elements, then the antenna elements can be fed with RF signals, but the manufacturing and assembly process becomes costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the feed arrangement with the antenna element structure by providing a feed arrangement integrated in the base portion of each antenna element. The feed arrangement includes a feed point formed as part of the base portion, eliminating the need for separate feed structures and reducing overall complexity while maintaining feeding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base portion of each antenna element serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the electrically conductive bodies, acts as the mounting interface for attaching the antenna element to the ground plane, and integrates the feed arrangement for RF signal input. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
2Ease of operation
If each notch antenna element is separately mounted to the ground plane, then individual assembly is possible, but the manufacturing process becomes more timely and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna array into multiple identical antenna elements, each with its own base portion and feed arrangement. This segmentation allows for standardized mass production of individual elements that can then be quickly assembled into arrays, improving both manufacturing efficiency and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter standardization across all antenna elements through the common base portion design. By fixing the feed arrangement geometry and mounting interface parameters in the base portion, manufacturing precision is improved while allowing rapid assembly of large numbers of identical elements.
3Reliability
If complex feed arrangements are used, then proper RF signal feeding is achieved, but material waste increases and cost-efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The feed arrangement is merged with the base portion structure, using the same material and forming process. The feed point is formed as an integral part of the base portion, eliminating the need for separate feed materials and reducing material waste while maintaining proper RF signal feeding capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a notch antenna structure including a plurality of notch antenna elements arranged in at least a first row (R). Each notch antenna element includes a base portion having first and second opposing surfaces, a first electrically conductive body and an adjacent second electrically conductive body, the electrically conductive bodies extending vertically from the first surface, forming an integral structure, a tapering gap between the two electrically conductive bodies. The notch antenna structure includes a bottom plane for receiving the second surface of the plurality of notch antenna elements and the first electrically conductive body includes a leg portion having a feed arrangement proximate to the tapering gap, the feed arrangement including a feed point.