Solar Panel Dummy Cell for GPS Antenna Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic apparatuses with solar panels and GPS antennas face design limitations due to the degradation of antenna characteristics caused by conductive materials, leading to impaired radio signal reception when the solar panel is positioned above the antenna.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a non-conductive area and a dummy cell in the solar panel, which does not obstruct the radiation pattern of the antenna, allowing the solar panel to be positioned without impairing the antenna's reception capabilities while maintaining a satisfactory design appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a solar panel is disposed above an antenna, then the electronic apparatus can generate electricity from light, but antenna characteristics are degraded significantly due to the influence of conductive material
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive metal electrode is extracted or removed from the solar panel at the specific position facing the antenna. This creates a non-conductive region that eliminates the harmful electromagnetic interference while preserving the solar panel's electricity generation function in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar panel is designed with non-uniform conductivity distribution - the metal electrode is present in most areas for electricity generation but specifically absent in the local region facing the antenna. This local modification allows the solar panel to maintain its energy generation capability while avoiding interference with antenna characteristics in the critical area.
2Reliability
If a cutout portion is created in the solar panel to prevent degradation of antenna characteristics, then antenna reception is improved, but design versatility is impaired because the cutout is easily seen through the dial plate
Solution Approach 1:
The region where the metal electrode is removed is filled with a material that has been colored or treated to match the appearance of the surrounding solar panel. This color matching technique makes the non-conductive region visually indistinguishable from the rest of the solar panel, thereby maintaining design appearance while preserving antenna reception characteristics.
3Productivity
If the solar panel covers the antenna area, then the overall energy generation efficiency is improved, but the antenna's ability to receive GPS radio signals is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The metal electrode is extracted only from the specific region facing the antenna, allowing GPS signals to pass through without interference. The rest of the solar panel remains intact and continues to generate electricity efficiently, thus resolving the conflict between energy generation and signal reception.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar panel is designed with spatially varying properties - high conductivity (metal electrode present) in most areas for energy generation, and low conductivity (metal electrode removed) in the local area above the antenna for signal reception. This local differentiation allows both functions to coexist effectively.
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
This configuration ensures that the antenna can receive GPS radio signals effectively while maintaining a visually appealing design, as the non-conductive area and dummy cell do not obstruct the radiation pattern, thus preserving antenna characteristics and design versatility.
Implementation Method 1
Electronic apparatuses equipped with solar panels that convert light into electricity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic apparatus, such as a timepiece (100), including a dial plate (1) having light transparency, a module (3) including an antenna (4) for receiving circularly polarized waves, such as GPS satellite signal for radio controlling the timepiece (100), said antenna (4) being disposed below the dial plate (1), the antenna (4) having a radiation electrode (42), and a solar panel (5) disposed between the dial plate (1) and the module (3), wherein the solar panel (5) includes a common substrate, a plurality of solar cells (50a-50f) disposed on the common substrate, and an inactive segment (57) disposed on the common substrate at a place corresponding to the place of the radiation electrode (57). The inactive segment (57) acts as a dummy solar cell which does not produce any current and does not therefore perturb the antenna performance.