Ring Coil Layout for Compact NFC and Wireless Power Wearables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ring-type radio communication devices face challenges in achieving compactness without compromising near-field communication and wireless power reception capabilities, as well as reliability due to the space requirements of the antenna coil and the need for connectors between electronic components and the coil.
Innovation Solution
A compact ring-type device design featuring a loop coil disposed along the top or lateral ring face, integrated with a flexible circuit board, which allows for magnetic flux generation perpendicular to the ring faces, enhancing communication and power reception performance while reducing thickness and improving reliability through a secure electronic component connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the antenna coil is made compact to reduce device size, then the device becomes more compact, but the near-field communication capability and wireless power reception capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the antenna coil from a planar configuration to a three-dimensional configuration by disposing the coil along the lateral face of the ring-shaped structure. This spatial reconfiguration allows the coil to maintain adequate dimensions for proper electromagnetic field generation while fitting within the constrained volume of a thin wearable device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the antenna coil directly into the ring-shaped structure itself, using the ring structure as both the mechanical support and the coil mounting platform. This eliminates the need for separate coil housings or additional spatial layers, achieving compact integration without compromising coil performance.
2Length of stationary object
If the ring is made thinner to improve wearability, then the device becomes more wearable, but the antenna coil size must be reduced leading to deteriorated radio communication characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the lateral face of the ring-shaped structure as a three-dimensional mounting surface for the antenna coil. This allows the coil to be disposed vertically along the lateral face rather than being constrained to a single plane, enabling adequate coil dimensions even when the ring thickness is reduced for improved wearability.
3Ease of manufacture
If a connector is added to connect the electronic-component-mounting circuit and the antenna coil, then electrical connection is enabled, but the device size reduction is bottlenecked and reliability is compromised due to connection susceptibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the antenna coil and the electronic-component-mounting circuit into a single integrated structure where the coil is disposed along the lateral face of the ring-shaped structure that also supports the circuit. This integration eliminates the need for separate connectors and interconnection components, reducing overall device complexity and improving reliability through direct structural coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the connector component from the system by directly integrating the antenna coil with the ring-shaped structure that houses the electronic circuitry. This removal of the connector eliminates the connection point that would be susceptible to breakage or failure.
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 design achieves superior radio communication and wireless power reception performance while maintaining a compact form factor and improving reliability by optimizing the placement and configuration of the loop coil and electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
A current flow through the loop coil causes magnetic flux to be generated in a direction perpendicular to the top ring face and to the bottom ring face
Data Source
AI summary
A ring-type device includes a wireless power receiver circuit, a radio communication circuit, and a ring-shaped structure. The wireless power receiver circuit includes a power receiver circuit, and a loop coil. The radio communication circuit operates with the loop coil serving as an antenna. The power receiver circuit and the radio communication circuit include an electronic component, and a flexible circuit board to which the electronic component is mounted. The ring-shaped structure has a lateral ring face, a top ring face, and a bottom ring face. The loop coil is disposed along the top ring face. The flexible circuit board is planar in structure in its developed condition, and is disposed in a curved configuration along the lateral ring face of the ring-shaped structure.