RF Screw Antenna Inductive Coupling for Metal Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
UHF radio frequency tags cannot be directly used in applications involving metals due to the inability of UHF radio waves to pass through metals, leading to increased costs in developing anti-metal tags with structures like microstrip antennas or PIFA, which are not conducive to mass production.
Innovation Solution
A radio frequency screw antenna with a metal radiation body and a coupling loop circuit, where the metal radiation body has a shank, head, and groove, and the coupling loop circuit is disposed on the groove's side wall, allowing for inductive coupling and easy installation by threading into metal surfaces, thereby enhancing the antenna's performance and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UHF radio frequency tags are used in metal environments, then the read range and communication performance are improved, but the radio waves cannot pass through metals causing the tags to be ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling loop circuit as an intermediary component between the feeding terminal and the metal radiation body. This coupling loop circuit enables inductive coupling to transfer energy to the metal radiation body, allowing the antenna to operate effectively in metal environments where direct UHF radio wave transmission is blocked by metal surfaces.
2Reliability
If anti-metal tags with microstrip antenna or PIFA structures are developed, then the metal surface can be served as the ground plane, but the loop connection by vertical interconnect accesses and edge plating causes increase of the cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex loop connection structures (vertical interconnect accesses and edge plating) from the antenna design. By using a simplified coupling loop circuit with inductive coupling, the patent removes the expensive manufacturing processes while maintaining the anti-metal tag functionality, making the tag suitable for mass production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts a simpler, more cost-effective coupling loop circuit structure that can be manufactured using standard PCB techniques without requiring expensive vertical interconnect accesses or edge plating processes. This approach prioritizes cost-effectiveness and ease of mass production over structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex loop connection structures are used for anti-metal tags, then the metal surface can be utilized as ground plane, but the structure complexity increases and is not conductive for mass production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection structures (vertical interconnect accesses and edge plating) with an electrical inductive coupling system. The coupling loop circuit uses electromagnetic induction to connect to the metal radiation body, eliminating the need for complex physical connections and making the design more suitable for mass production.
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 solution provides a cost-effective and efficient UHF radio frequency antenna with a long read range, enabling easy installation and efficient operation in metal environments, suitable for applications like vehicle-to-everything communication systems and product identification.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling loop circuit is disposed on a groove of the head. The coupling loop circuit and the metal radiation body are inductively coupled
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency screw antenna includes a metal radiation body and a coupling loop circuit. The metal radiation body includes a shank having a radial direction, a head connected to the shank, and a groove positioned at the head. A length direction of the groove is parallel to the radial direction. The coupling loop circuit is disposed at a first side wall of the groove.