Planar Antenna Handheld Locator for Object Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handheld locating devices face challenges in efficiently detecting objects within and outside a workpiece while maintaining structural simplicity and reliability, particularly in achieving high directivity and minimizing crosstalk.

Innovation Solution

The proposed handheld locating device incorporates a planar antenna structure with multiple antennas, including symmetric feeding, narrow-band transmission, and polarization diversity, along with a compensation mechanism to reduce crosstalk and enhance signal processing, allowing for comprehensive object detection within a workpiece and beyond.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple antennas are used for comprehensive object detection, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple antennas share a common ground plane structure, merging the ground plane function across all antennas to reduce redundant components and simplify the overall device architecture while maintaining multiple detection channels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common ground plane serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the reference plane for all antennas, provides shielding, and serves as part of the antenna structure itself, thereby reducing the need for separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Shape

If symmetric feeding is used for antennas, then directivity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedirectivityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

While the antenna structure itself is symmetric for optimal directivity, the feeding network uses asymmetric arrangement of feed points and transmission lines that are easier to manufacture with standard PCB techniques, achieving the desired symmetric radiation pattern without requiring ultra-precise symmetric component placement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Device complexity

If narrow-band transmission is used, then signal processing simplicity is improved, but adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal processing complexityVSAvoidfrequency adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna design uses adjustable parameters such as radiator dimensions, ground plane size, and feed point locations that can be modified to tune the operating frequency and bandwidth, allowing the same narrow-band antenna structure to be adapted to different frequency requirements by changing geometric parameters rather than the fundamental design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables reliable and efficient detection of objects with improved directivity and reduced crosstalk, allowing for comprehensive protection and easy signal evaluation, thereby enhancing the safety and effectiveness of handheld power tools like jigsaws and saber saws.

Implementation Method 1

The antenna has a planar structure... intended to send and/or receive a signal. The signal is preferably in the form of a magnetic field, an electric field, another signal that appears reasonable to a person skilled in the art and/or preferably an electromagnetic field.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The planar antenna preferably has a dielectric which is arranged in particular between the layers. The dielectric advantageously firmly connects the layers to one another.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP2621682B1Locating device
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2621682B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2621682B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2621682B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a locating device, in particular a hand locating apparatus, comprising a locating unit (26a, 26b, 26g) which has at least one antenna (28a-g, 30a-g, 68d, 68f, 70d, 70f, 72f, 74f, 76f, 78f). According to the invention, the antenna (28a-g, 30a-g, 68d, 68f, 70d, 70f, 72f, 74f, 76f, 78f) is of planar construction.