Frequency-Selective Reflector Tiling With Alignment Marks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reflect arrays face challenges in producing large-area structures due to limitations in production devices, and the tiling technique used to expand area leads to deviations in relative position, degrading reflection intensity and phase, thus failing to achieve desired reflection properties.

Innovation Solution

A reflecting structure with a frequency selective reflector is designed, featuring a substrate with alignment marks and frequency selective reflectors arranged side by side, where the distance between adjacent reflectors is less than half the wavelength of electromagnetic waves, ensuring high positional accuracy and effective tiling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the reflect array area is increased to reflect electromagnetic waves with high intensity in coverage holes, then the reflection intensity is improved, but the production becomes difficult due to constraints on production devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereflection intensityVSAvoidproduction difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The reflect array is divided into multiple frequency selective reflectors that can be produced separately and then tiled together. Each reflector is a manageable unit that can be manufactured with existing production devices, while the overall array achieves the required large area for high reflection intensity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple frequency selective reflectors are nested or tiled together to form a larger reflect array system. The individual reflectors are positioned adjacent to each other with precise spacing to create a unified large-area structure that maintains high reflection intensity while being producible with standard equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If the tiling technique is used to increase the reflect array area, then the area is expanded, but the relative position deviation degrades the reflection intensity and phase accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereflect array areaVSAvoidrelative position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A substrate with alignment marks serves as an intermediary structure that holds multiple frequency selective reflectors in precise relative positions. The alignment marks enable accurate positioning during assembly, ensuring that the tiled reflectors maintain the required positional accuracy for optimal electromagnetic wave reflection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Alignment marks are pre-formed on the substrate before the frequency selective reflectors are positioned and fixed. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the reflectors are assembled in a tiled configuration, their relative positions can be accurately controlled to within less than 1/2 wavelength spacing, preventing degradation of reflection properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the distance between adjacent frequency selective reflectors is reduced to less than 1/2 wavelength, then the reflection phase accuracy is maintained, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereflection phase accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple frequency selective reflectors are merged into a unified structure by mounting them on a common substrate with integrated alignment marks. This combining approach maintains the precise spacing required for phase accuracy while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through standardized assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 proposed structure achieves excellent reflection properties and can be scaled to large areas without compromising reflection intensity or phase, effectively addressing the limitations of existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

a frequency selective reflector reflecting electromagnetic waves in a particular frequency band in a direction different from a regular reflection direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

By varying the size and shape of the reflective element, the resonant frequency of each reflective element is varied to control the reflection phase of the electromagnetic wave

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP4546568A1Reflection structure, method for manufacturing reflection structure, and frequency-selective reflection plate set
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD
  • EP4546568A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4546568A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4546568A1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a reflecting structure including a frequency selective reflector reflecting electromagnetic waves in a particular frequency band in a direction different from a regular reflection direction, the reflecting structure including: a substrate including a first alignment mark; and a plurality of the frequency selective reflectors disposed side by side on one surface of the substrate, wherein a distance between adjacent the frequency selective reflectors is less than 1/2 of a wavelength of the electromagnetic waves.