Wearable Hinge Radiator for Wireless Communication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices face challenges in incorporating radiators due to their small size and aesthetic considerations, while also needing to support wireless communication without additional devices like cellular phones.
Innovation Solution
A hinge is designed to serve as a radiator, incorporating conductive pin elements with an insulator and shielding, allowing it to mechanically connect a wearable device's body and band while facilitating wireless communication by acting as a loop antenna with inductive or capacitive reactance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a radiator is incorporated within a wearable device, then wireless communication capability is improved, but the device size and aesthetic appearance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is designed to serve dual purposes: mechanically connecting the band to the body of the wearable device while simultaneously functioning as a radiator for wireless communication. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate radiator components, thereby maintaining aesthetic appearance while ensuring communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The radiator function is merged with the hinge structure by making the hinge itself conductive and electrically connected to the radio frequency circuitry. The conductive pin elements of the hinge form the radiating elements, combining mechanical and communication functions into a single integrated component
2Reliability
If a radiator is incorporated within a wearable device, then wireless communication capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge serves multiple functions including mechanical connection, rotation, and radiation for wireless communication. By integrating these functions into a single component rather than adding separate radiator elements, the overall device complexity is reduced despite the enhanced communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge structure is merged with the radiator function by making the hinge conductive and electrically connected to the RF circuitry. This integration eliminates the need for additional separate radiator components and their associated mounting and connection structures, thereby reducing device complexity
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 hinge effectively supports wireless communication without compromising the device's mechanical functionality or aesthetic appearance, enabling direct communication with other devices without the need for additional radiators, and can operate at various frequency bands.
Implementation Method 1
at least the first conductive pin element is in electrical communication with radio frequency circuitry of the device such that the first conductive pin element is a radiating element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 5
AI summary
A hinge of a device is provided that serves as a radiator. The hinge includes first (26) and second (28) conductive pin elements. The opposite ends of the first and second conductive pin elements are configured to mechanically engage the device. The hinge also includes an insulator (38) between portions of the first and second conductive pin elements. The end of at least the first conductive pin element is also configured to be in electrical communication with radio frequency circuitry of the device such that the first conductive pin element functions as the radiator.