Planar Antenna Clamp System for Solder-Free Swapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planar antennas face challenges with connector costs, damage from soldering, and difficulty in quickly swapping antennas due to direct soldering, especially when using sensitive materials.
Innovation Solution
A planar antenna clamp system comprising a base, connector, clamp arm, matching circuit, and clamp that allows for secure, solder-free connection and easy antenna swapping, using a clamp mechanism to compress conductors between the base and clamp arm, with a matching circuit for impedance transition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connectors are soldered directly to planar antennas, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but the antenna conductors are damaged due to soldering heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a clamp mechanism as an intermediary component between the connector and the planar antenna conductors. The clamp provides a mechanical compression connection that achieves reliable electrical contact without direct soldering, thereby eliminating heat damage to the antenna while maintaining electrical reliability.
2Reliability
If expensive high-quality connectors are used and soldered to planar antennas, then connection reliability is improved, but the cost increases beyond the antenna value and reuse becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp acts as a reusable intermediary that connects the connector to the antenna conductors through mechanical compression. This allows the expensive connector to be separated from the antenna without damage, enabling reuse of both components and reducing overall system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into three separate components: the connector, the clamp mechanism, and the antenna. This segmentation allows each component to be independently reused or replaced, improving cost effectiveness and flexibility.
3Reliability
If planar antennas are soldered directly to connectors, then stable electrical connection is achieved, but quick swapping of antennas becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism serves as a removable intermediary that enables quick antenna swapping. The connector remains fixed while the clamp can be quickly released and reattached to different antenna conductors, maintaining stable electrical connection during operation but enabling rapid replacement when needed.
4Stability of the object's composition
If traditional soldering methods are used to connect connectors to planar antennas, then permanent connection is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and damages heat-sensitive materials
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp provides a permanent mechanical connection during operation without requiring soldering. The clamp can be securely fastened to maintain stable connection, yet can be removed without heat exposure, saving time and protecting heat-sensitive antenna 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
Enables quick and secure connection of planar antennas to communication devices without soldering, allowing for easy swapping and supporting fragile materials, while maintaining impedance matching for efficient signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
The clamp is configured to compress the conductors of the planar antenna between the top surface of the base and the bottom surface of the clamp arm such that the conductors of the planar antenna are operatively coupled with the matching circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A planar antenna clamp system comprising: a base; a connector mounted to the base; a clamp arm mounted to the base such that, when in an open configuration, an air gap exists between the top surface of the base and the bottom surface of the clamp arm's distal end, and wherein the clamp arm and the base are oriented with respect to one another such that conductors of a planar antenna may be positioned in the air gap when in the open configuration; a matching circuit disposed on the top surface of the base and electrically connected to the connector; and a clamp configured to compress the conductors of the planar antenna between the top surface of the base and the bottom surface of the clamp arm such that the conductors of the planar antenna are operatively coupled with the matching circuit, when in a closed configuration.