Solar Panel Positioning for GPS Antenna Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional GPS timepieces with solar panels face challenges in maintaining antenna characteristics and power generation efficiency due to notches for antenna placement, which affect design aesthetics and functionality.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a circular polarization antenna and a solar panel where the solar panel is positioned to maximize light reception while minimizing interference with the antenna, using a configuration of solar cells that overlap the antenna's radiating electrode without obstructing its radiating pattern, ensuring both effective power generation and antenna performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a notch is provided in the solar panel corresponding to the antenna, then antenna characteristics are improved, but light receiving area decreases and design property is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel is positioned in the thickness direction between the dial and the module, utilizing the vertical dimension rather than the planar dimension. This allows the solar panel to overlap the radiating electrode area without requiring a notch, thereby maintaining both the light receiving area and antenna characteristics.
2Reliability
If a notch is provided in the solar panel corresponding to the antenna, then antenna characteristics are improved, but design property deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing the thickness direction dimension, the solar panel can be positioned to overlap the radiating electrode without creating visible notches on the dial face. This maintains the aesthetic design property while ensuring proper antenna characteristics through appropriate positioning.
3Power
If solar panel area is maximized, then power generation amount increases, but antenna characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel is positioned to cover the central area of the radiating electrode where it does not interfere with the radiating pattern, while leaving the peripheral areas corresponding to the end portions of the radiating electrode uncovered. This local differentiation allows maximum power generation without deteriorating antenna characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar panel is arranged in the thickness direction between the dial and module, allowing it to overlap the radiating electrode area without obstructing the radiating pattern. This dimensional arrangement enables the solar panel to maximize its light receiving area while maintaining antenna characteristics.
4Power
If solar panel is positioned to overlap radiating electrode, then power generation efficiency increases, but antenna characteristics may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel is positioned to overlap the central region of the radiating electrode where the radiating pattern is less sensitive, while intentionally leaving the peripheral regions corresponding to the end portions uncovered. This localized positioning strategy maximizes power generation efficiency while preserving antenna characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar panel utilizes the thickness direction dimension to position itself between the dial and module, allowing it to overlap the radiating electrode area without obstructing the radiating pattern in the horizontal plane. This enables high power generation efficiency while maintaining antenna characteristics.
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 allows for precise time correction using GPS signals while maintaining a sleek design and optimizing power generation efficiency, preventing deterioration of antenna characteristics and enhancing the device's overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
a solar panel arranged between the dial and the module and has an area corresponding to an area of the dial in a face direction thereof, wherein the solar panel is constituted by a plurality of solar cells
Implementation Method 2
a module arranged under the dial and including a circular polarization antenna which includes a power feed point and a radiating electrode
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a solar panel including a solar cell, the solar cell including a plurality of light receiving regions and a connecting region, the connecting region having a width narrower than widths of the plurality of light receiving regions and connecting the plurality of light receiving regions, wherein a conductive reinforcing material made of a conductive material is provided in the connecting region and is electrically connected to the plurality of light receiving regions.