Transparent Coplanar Waveguide Monopole Antenna for Vehicle Glass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles face challenges in integrating multiple antennas for various communication systems without compromising vehicle design and styling, as traditional antenna mounting on the roof becomes cumbersome with increasing numbers, and existing glass-integrated antennas are limited to non-visible areas.
Innovation Solution
A thin, flexible wideband co-planar waveguide antenna using transparent conductors is designed to be mounted on vehicle glass, allowing for flexible placement, including visible areas, and featuring a co-planar waveguide feed structure with a pentagon-shaped radiator for efficient signal reception and transmission across multiple frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional antennas are mounted on the roof to provide maximum reception capability, then signal reception quality is improved, but the device complexity and interference with vehicle design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions antenna mounting from the traditional roof (three-dimensional protruding structure) to the vehicle glass surface (two-dimensional planar integration), thereby reducing spatial complexity while maintaining reception capability through coplanar waveguide feeding structures integrated into the glass plane
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple antenna elements and feeding structures into a single integrated glass-mounted assembly, where the glass substrate serves simultaneously as mechanical support, dielectric medium, and mounting platform, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying overall structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If antennas are printed on vehicle glass to reduce structural interference, then ease of integration is improved, but the antenna is limited to non-visible areas reducing adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin flexible printed circuit board (PCB) technology to create the antenna feeding structures, allowing the antenna assembly to be manufactured as a thin, adaptable layer that can be applied to various glass surfaces including curved and visible areas, overcoming the rigidity limitations of traditional printed antennas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple materials including transparent conductive oxides, flexible PCB substrates, and dielectric layers to create a composite antenna structure that combines electrical functionality with optical transparency and mechanical flexibility, enabling placement in previously inaccessible visible glass areas
3Reliability
If opaque conductors are used in the antenna to improve signal transmission, then electrical conductivity is improved, but the visual appearance and transparency of the glass is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies transparent conductive oxide coatings specifically to the portions of the glass where conductor traces are required, while leaving other areas of the glass opaque or transparent as needed, thereby achieving local electrical conductivity without compromising overall glass transparency and visual appearance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite conductor structures combining transparent conductive oxides with traditional metallic traces, where the transparent portions are used in visible areas and metallic portions are confined to non-visible areas or structural support regions, optimizing both electrical performance and aesthetic appearance
Data Source
AI summary
A thin, flexible antenna that has particular application to be mounted to a dielectric structure on a vehicle, such as vehicle glass, where the antenna has a wideband antenna geometry for various communications applications, and where the conductive portion of the antenna can employ transparent conductors.