Segmented Helical Antenna with Rotatable Polarization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional helical antennas have limited polarization flexibility, requiring extra switching circuits and power supplies for dual-sense circular polarization, and suffer from lower gain compared to traditional helical antennas.
Innovation Solution
Development of segmented helical antennas with origami or skeleton scaffolding designs that allow mechanical rotation to switch between right-hand and left-hand circular polarization states, utilizing rotatable metal traces and unit arms to change polarization direction without additional circuits or power supplies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If extra switching circuits and power supplies are added to enable dual-sense circular polarization, then polarization flexibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic switching circuits with a mechanical rotation system. The segmented helical antenna structure allows manual or motorized rotation to switch between RHCP and LHCP modes, eliminating the need for complex electronic switching circuits and power supplies while achieving the same polarization flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic rotation mechanism that allows the antenna to switch between fixed polarization states (RHCP and LHCP) by rotating the segmented structure. This dynamic mechanical adjustment provides polarization flexibility without requiring electronic switching components
2Adaptability or versatility
If CP sense switchable antennas are developed to enable polarization switching, then polarization flexibility is improved, but gain decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the helical antenna into multiple segmented sections that can rotate independently or as a group. This segmentation allows the antenna to maintain its helical geometry and radiation characteristics in each polarization state, preserving high gain while enabling polarization switching through mechanical rotation
3Power
If traditional helical antenna structure is used to achieve high gain, then directional gain is improved, but polarization flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static traditional helical antenna into a dynamic structure by adding a rotation mechanism. The segmented helical sections can rotate to change the handedness of the helix, allowing the antenna to switch between RHCP and LHCP while maintaining the high-gain helical geometry
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the helical antenna structure, the patent enables independent rotation of different sections to achieve polarization switching. This segmentation maintains the overall helical shape for high gain while allowing flexibility in polarization state through mechanical adjustment
Data Source
AI summary
A segmented helical antenna can include: a plurality of unit arms, each unit arm having a center hole, a first end hole, and a second end hole; a central axis passing through the center hole of the plurality of unit arms; a first wire passing through the first end hole of each of the plurality of unit arms; and a second wire passing through the second end hole of each of the plurality of unit arms. Each unit arm can be configured to be rotatable such that the first wire and the second wire rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.