Planar Metamaterial Structure for Compact Antenna Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional metamaterial structures struggle to achieve a sufficient reduction in size while maintaining effective electromagnetic properties and not degrading antenna characteristics when integrated into the periphery of a circuit board's ground plate.

Innovation Solution

A metamaterial structure is designed with a first conductor portion arranged at a predetermined distance from a planar conductor plate and a second conductor portion connecting it, allowing for a compact configuration that utilizes the existing ground conductor of the circuit board, eliminating the need for additional ground conductors and reducing the space required, while maintaining antenna performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional metamaterial structures are used, then electromagnetic properties are maintained, but the structure size cannot be sufficiently reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetamaterial structure sizeVSAvoidelectromagnetic properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from three-dimensional metamaterial structures to a two-dimensional planar configuration. The first conductor portion is arranged in a plane at a predetermined distance from the ground plate, with the second conductor portion connecting them, creating an effective electromagnetic structure that functions in reduced space while maintaining performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention integrates the metamaterial structure with the existing ground plate of the circuit board. By using the ground plate as part of the metamaterial configuration and eliminating the need for separate ground conductors, the structure achieves compactness while preserving electromagnetic functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If additional ground conductors are added to maintain electromagnetic properties, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic propertiesVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ground plate serves dual functions: as the reference ground for the circuit board and as an integral component of the metamaterial structure. This eliminates the need for separate ground conductors while maintaining both electromagnetic performance and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates the separate ground conductor component from the metamaterial structure. By redesigning the configuration to use only the first and second conductor portions connected to the existing ground plate, the structure becomes simpler and easier to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If via holes are used to connect conductor portions, then structural integrity is maintained, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical via hole connection method with a planar surface-mounted conductor configuration. The first and second conductor portions are connected to the ground plate through surface-level connections rather than penetrating via holes, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Volume of moving object

If compact configuration is achieved by reducing dimensions, then volume is reduced, but control of capacitance values becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetamaterial structure sizeVSAvoidcapacitance control

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention maintains controllability of capacitance values by adjusting the predetermined distance between the first conductor portion and the ground plate, as well as the dimensions and configuration of the conductor portions. These parameter adjustments allow precise capacitance control within the compact planar structure without requiring excessive manufacturing precision.

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 design achieves a compact metamaterial structure that effectively mitigates radiation noise without degrading antenna characteristics, reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for vias, and simplifies the control of capacitance values, enabling more flexible design and efficient electromagnetic performance.

Implementation Method 1

a first conductor portion arranged a predetermined distance away from the conductor plate in a two-dimensional plane that includes the conductor plate; and a second conductor portion arranged so as to connect the conductor plate and the first conductor portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS9583818B2Metamaterial

Publication Date: 2017.02.28 CANON KK

AI summary

A metamaterial is configured by arranging at least one element on a planar conductor plate, where the at least one element has a first conductor portion arranged a predetermined distance away from the conductor plate in a two-dimensional plane that includes the conductor plate, and a second conductor portion arranged so as to connect the conductor plate and the first conductor portion.