Perforated Metallic Enclosure for RF and Light Transparency

Solution Overview

Problem

Metallic enclosures inhibit the transmission of RF signals and visible light, which are essential for wireless tracking systems used in air freight cargo, as they do not allow the passage of RF operating wavelengths and sunlight, leading to reduced performance and accuracy in tracking assets.

Innovation Solution

A perforated metallic enclosure with a pattern of apertures and a dielectric plate that allows the passage of RF and visible light, ensuring RF transparency and structural integrity, enabling effective tracking of air freight cargo without compromising signal transmission or visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a solid metallic enclosure is used, then structural strength and environmental protection are improved, but RF signal transmission and visible light passage are blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidRF signal transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The metallic enclosure incorporates a pattern of apertures (perforations) throughout its structure, transforming it from a solid blocking material into a porous/transmissive material that allows RF signals and visible light to pass through while maintaining structural integrity. The aperture pattern is designed to be electromagnetic transparent for RF frequencies while preserving the mechanical strength needed for cargo container applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The enclosure combines metallic material with an aperture pattern structure, creating a composite structure that integrates the beneficial properties of both solidity (structural strength) and openness (RF and light transmission). This composite approach allows the enclosure to simultaneously provide protection and signal transparency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If a solid metallic enclosure is used, then structural integrity is improved, but visibility and RF transparency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidvisible light passage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The metallic enclosure incorporates a pattern of apertures (perforations) throughout its structure, transforming it from a solid blocking material into a porous/transmissive material that allows RF signals and visible light to pass through while maintaining structural integrity. The aperture pattern is designed to be electromagnetic transparent for RF frequencies while preserving the mechanical strength needed for cargo container applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Reliability

If a perforated metallic enclosure with apertures is used, then RF signal transmission and visible light passage are improved, but structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRF signal transmissionVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure applies different properties to different parts of its structure: the metallic material provides structural strength in the regions between apertures, while the aperture regions provide RF and light transmission. This local differentiation allows each part to optimize its function without compromising the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The metallic enclosure incorporates a pattern of apertures (perforations) throughout its structure, transforming it from a solid blocking material into a porous/transmissive material that allows RF signals and visible light to pass through while maintaining structural integrity. The aperture pattern is designed to be electromagnetic transparent for RF frequencies while preserving the mechanical strength needed for cargo container applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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

The solution ensures uninterrupted RF signal transmission and visible light passage through the enclosure, maintaining the performance of wireless tracking devices and providing reliable asset tracking in air freight applications while ensuring structural strength and environmental protection.

Implementation Method 1

The apertures are shaped, sized and spaced to allow passage therethrough of the RF operating wavelength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave transmission:

Implementation Method 2

Additionally, the apertures allow passage of visible light therethough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission:

Data Source

PatentUS8872723B2Light and RF transparent enclosure for use with asset tracking device

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 ROAMBEE CORP

AI summary

An electromagnetic (RF) and light transparent enclosure having a perforated metallic wall. The enclosure is particularly adapted for an RF wireless tracking system, as a housing for the transmitter device or for a cargo container in or on which the transmitter device is positioned. The enclosure is optically transparent to ensure any photovoltaic device of the transmitter device receives sufficient photons or other energy to power the transmitter device. The RF transparent enclosure attenuates less transmitted and/or received signal at specific frequency bands.