Range Extender Housing Integrating Antennas for Robust Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional range-extender devices are large, visually unappealing, and pose risks due to exposed antennas and complex controls, which can frustrate users and diminish their experience.
Innovation Solution
A range extender device with a cylindrical housing featuring smooth, rounded edges, integrated antennas, a heat sink, and a light ring assembly that provides a diffused glow, along with simplified controls and audio inputs, enhancing robustness, simplicity, and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional range-extender devices use external antennas and complex controls, then wireless signal transmission function is achieved, but device robustness and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the antennas directly into the housing structure, merging the antenna function with the device body. This eliminates separate external antennas that are vulnerable to damage, while the control interface is simplified by integrating buttons and indicators into the housing, reducing overall device complexity and improving robustness.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural protection, integrates the antenna elements, houses the control interface, and provides mounting surfaces for indicators. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving robustness while managing complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional range-extender devices use external antennas, then wireless signal transmission is enabled, but susceptibility to damage by children or animals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antennas are integrated into the housing structure rather than being separate external components. This merging protects the antenna elements from being pulled, bent, or damaged by children or animals, as they are now part of the solid housing structure that cannot be easily separated or damaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as a protective shell that encloses and protects the antenna elements. This shell structure provides mechanical protection against accidental damage while maintaining the antenna's functional integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional range-extender devices have complex controls and status lights, then device functionality is enhanced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is designed with localized, intuitive controls positioned on the housing surface. Status indicators are strategically placed to provide clear visual feedback. This local optimization of control and indicator placement makes the device easier to operate while maintaining full functionality.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Inter alia, a range extender device is disclosed. The range extender device comprises a housing. The housing comprises a top housing member having a wall and a top-end portion connected to a first end of the wall, the wall having an inner surface and an opposing outer surface; and a bottom housing member connected to the top housing member at a second end of the wall, the bottom housing member having a bottom exterior surface and an opposing interior surface. The range extender device further comprises an audio sensor positioned within the housing; a heat sink assembly comprising a heat sink and one or more antennas; a circuit board assembly positioned within the housing and communicatively coupled to the one or more antennas to cause the one or more antennas to provide a radio node for a wireless mesh network; a speaker assembly positioned within the housing and connected to the circuit board assembly; and a light ring assembly connected to the bottom exterior surface of the bottom housing member. The light ring assembly is configured to radially reflect light away from a central axis of the housing and diffuse the light to provide a glow under the bottom housing member. The light ring assembly has a height that is within a range of 1.75 mm to 2.25 mm and is inset from the corner of the bottom housing member by a first inset distance, the first inset distance being within a range of 3.5 mm to 4.25 mm. The range extender device further comprises a foot connected to the light ring assembly, the light ring assembly being positioned between the bottom housing member and the foot. The foot has a height that is within a range of 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm and a radius that is smaller than the radius of the light ring assembly by an amount equal to a second inset distance, such that the foot is inset from an outer surface of the light ring assembly by the second inset distance, the second inset distance being within a range of 1.25 mm to 1.75 mm.