Wearable Antenna Housing for Proximity and Permittivity Sensing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wearable electronic devices face limitations in performance due to the inclusion of multiple components, which can compromise their functionality and increase costs, making it desirable to design devices that maximize functionality and performance while using lower-cost materials and reducing manufacturing complexity.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates an electromagnetically transparent housing with an antenna and sensing circuits to detect objects nearby, allowing for the determination of permittivity and object presence, using a processor to compare transmitted power levels and determine object proximity, thereby enhancing performance without increasing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple components are included in the device to enhance functionality, then device performance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidcomponent arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a radiating element for wireless communication and a sensing element for detecting objects nearby. The same antenna structure measures transmitted power levels to determine object presence, eliminating the need for separate sensing components and thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining enhanced functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the antenna and sensing circuit functions into an integrated system. The sensing circuit measures the transmitted power level from the antenna to detect objects, merging what could have been separate components into a unified structure that reduces overall device complexity and manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple components are included in the device to enhance functionality, then device performance is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a radiating element for wireless communication and a sensing element for detecting objects nearby. The same antenna structure measures transmitted power levels to determine object presence, eliminating the need for separate sensing components and thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the antenna and sensing circuit functions into an integrated system. The sensing circuit measures the transmitted power level from the antenna to detect objects, merging what could have been separate components into a unified structure that reduces overall device complexity and manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach enables wearable electronic devices to maintain high performance and functionality while using lower-cost materials, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs, and allowing for efficient detection of object presence and proximity.

Implementation Method 1

an antenna disposed in the internal volume and positioned to emit a signal at a power level through the electromagnetically transparent portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The sensing circuit can be configured to measure a transmitted power of the signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic power measurement: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

The processor can be configured to determine a permittivity of a region of space adjacent to the electromagnetically transparent portion based at least in part on a comparison of the transmitted power and the power level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermittivity detection: Dielectric Permittivity

Data Source

PatentUS11983035B2Electronic device

Publication Date: 2024.05.14 APPLE INC

AI summary

A portable electronic device can include a housing that at least partially defines an internal volume and an external surface of the device. The housing can include an electromagnetically transparent portion that partially defines the exterior surface. The portable electronic device can include an antenna disposed in the internal volume and a sensing circuit disposed in the internal volume to receive a signal transmitted from the antenna.