Transparent Antenna Films on Lenses for RF Sensing and Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Antennas on mobile devices with small form factors, such as head-mounted displays, face challenges related to bulkiness, heat generation, electromagnetic radiation emission, and structural integrity when placed near the user's head or device components, limiting antenna power and functionality.
Innovation Solution
Transparent antennas are formed on optically transparent substrates like lenses, utilizing conductive materials like ITO, silver nanowires, and carbon nanotubes, with patterns and trenches to maintain transparency and RF efficiency, allowing for both communication and proximity sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional antennas are placed on mobile devices with small form factors, then communication functionality is provided, but the device becomes bulky and generates excessive heat and electromagnetic radiation near the user's head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using ultra-thin flexible transparent conductive polymer films to create antennas that can be integrated into the device housing. These thin films enable antenna functionality while minimizing the distance between the antenna and the user's head, thereby reducing heat generation and electromagnetic radiation exposure while maintaining communication functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the antenna by using transparent conductive materials with optimized thickness and conductivity. By adjusting the film thickness and material properties, the antenna achieves effective radiation performance while being positioned closer to the user's head, thus reducing harmful heat and EM radiation exposure
2Volume of moving object
If antennas are placed close to the user's head to reduce device bulk, then device compactness is improved, but antenna power and functionality are limited due to heat and EM radiation constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The use of flexible transparent conductive polymer films allows the antenna to be positioned close to the user's head within the compact device structure. The flexibility and thinness of the material enable close positioning without excessive heat generation, while the optimized conductivity maintains adequate antenna power for communication functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining transparent conductive polymers with other materials to achieve optimized electrical and thermal properties. This composite approach enables the antenna to maintain sufficient power output while operating in the compact space close to the user's head without excessive heat generation
3Illumination intensity
If transparent conductive materials are used for antennas, then optical transparency is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness and conductivity parameters of the transparent conductive polymer film to achieve the right balance between optical transparency and electrical performance. By carefully controlling these parameters during manufacturing, the patent achieves effective antenna functionality with adequate transparency while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple and scalable
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 transparent antennas provide clear visibility, reduced weight, and improved antenna performance by distancing EM radiation from the user's head, while enabling effective communication and facial motion detection without obstructing the user's view.
Implementation Method 1
each antenna comprising a film of a conductive material that is at least partially optically transparent, the one or more antennas comprising a communication antenna, and processing circuitry electrically coupled to the communication antenna, the processing circuitry configured to one or more of send or receive signals via the communication antenna
Data Source
AI summary
Examples are disclosed related to optically transparent antennas. One example provides a proximity sensor, comprising an electrically insulating substrate that is at least partially optically transparent, one or more antennas disposed on the electrically insulating substrate, each antenna comprising a film of a conductive material that is at least partially optically transparent, the one or more antennas comprising a proximity sensing antenna, and a resonant LC circuit electrically coupled to the proximity sensing antenna, the resonant LC circuit configured to output a signal responsive to a position of a surface relative to the proximity sensing antenna.