Rotating Antenna for Portable GPS Signal Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
GPS navigators with switchable display modes face challenges in signal transmission and reception due to fixed antenna positions, which hinder effective satellite signal acquisition in both vertical and horizontal modes.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device featuring a signal transmitter/receiver with a non-fixed ball-and-sleeve structure, allowing it to be rotated around two axes, ensuring optimal signal reception and transmission regardless of the device's operational mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the antenna is positioned for vertical display mode, then signal reception is optimized for vertical mode, but signal reception deteriorates in horizontal mode
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is designed with dynamic positioning capability through a rotation mechanism that allows it to change its orientation angle. The antenna can rotate between different angular positions to adapt to either vertical or horizontal display modes, transforming from a static fixed-position antenna to a dynamic adjustable-position antenna. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the antenna to optimize signal reception for the current operational mode while maintaining adaptability across different modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna's orientation parameter (rotation angle) is made variable to match different operational conditions. By changing the antenna's angular position parameter according to whether the device is in vertical or horizontal mode, the system maintains optimal signal reception quality across different display orientations. This parameter adjustment allows the same antenna structure to perform optimally in both vertical and horizontal configurations.
2Ease of operation
If a one-way pivot structure is used for the antenna, then the antenna can be rotated up for signal reception, but the antenna position only matches one display mode
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna rotation mechanism is designed with multi-functionality to serve both vertical and horizontal display modes. Instead of having separate rotation mechanisms for each mode, a universal rotation structure is implemented that can position the antenna appropriately for either orientation. This single multi-functional mechanism replaces what would otherwise require mode-specific solutions, enabling the antenna to adapt to different operational contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna positioning system transitions from a single-degree-of-freedom rotation (one-way pivot) to a multi-degree-of-freedom rotation system that operates in multiple dimensions. The antenna can rotate around multiple axes or through multiple angular ranges, adding dimensional flexibility to the positioning capability. This enables the antenna to achieve optimal orientation regardless of whether the device is held vertically or horizontally.
3Reliability
If a two-way hinge structure is adopted, then the antenna can be positioned for vertical mode, but it cannot rotate completely outward when in horizontal mode
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is enhanced with dynamic adjustment capability that allows the rotation range to adapt based on the operational mode. In vertical mode, the hinge provides constrained rotation for optimal positioning, while in horizontal mode, the hinge unlocks or adjusts to permit complete outward rotation. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by making the rotation constraint conditional rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the antenna based on the detected or selected display mode before signal reception begins. When vertical mode is selected, the antenna is pre-positioned at the appropriate angle for that mode. When horizontal mode is selected, the antenna is pre-positioned to allow complete outward rotation. This preliminary action ensures that the antenna starts in the correct configuration for the intended mode, avoiding the need to compromise rotation range.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device includes a body, a signal transmitter/receiver. The body includes a display which has a first display mode and a second display mode. The signal transmitter/receiver has a ball spiral, a first ball and a second ball. The signal transmitter/receiver is pivotally connected to the body of the portable electronic device. The signal transmitter/receiver can be rotated around a rotation axis defined by the first ball and the ball spiral to a first signal receiving position corresponding to the first display mode, and can be rotated around a rotation axis defined by the second ball and the ball spiral to a second signal receiving position corresponding to the second display mode. Therefore, signals can be better transmitted or received when the display is in a given display mode.