Windowpane Antenna Mesh Camouflage Using a Surrounding Pseudo Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna units with mesh-like antenna and ground conductors on window glass are conspicuous and lack an aesthetically pleasing design.
Innovation Solution
An antenna unit comprising a dielectric layer, a first conductor layer, a pseudo layer, and a second conductor layer, where the pseudo layer is disposed around the second conductor layer to minimize the gradation value difference between regions, making the antenna unit inconspicuous and improving design aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mesh-like patterns of antenna conductor and ground conductor are formed on substrate, then antenna functionality is achieved, but the patterns become conspicuous and design aesthetics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pseudo layer positioned between the viewer and the conductor patterns, creating a new dimensional layer that optically masks the mesh patterns. This pseudo layer with specific optical properties (transmittance, reflectance, absorptance) modifies the visual appearance by blending the conductor patterns with the substrate background, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining antenna functionality and improving design aesthetics
Solution Approach 2:
The pseudo layer is designed to change or modify the optical characteristics of the underlying conductor patterns. By controlling the optical properties (transmittance, reflectance, absorptance) of the pseudo layer, the visual appearance of the mesh patterns is altered to match the substrate background, making them inconspicuous while preserving the antenna's electromagnetic functionality
2Shape
If pseudo layer is added to mask conductor patterns, then design aesthetics improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pseudo layer is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it masks the conductor patterns for aesthetic purposes, maintains optical transparency for visibility requirements, and preserves electromagnetic wave transmission for antenna functionality. By combining multiple functions into a single layer, the patent minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving improved design aesthetics
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna unit includes a dielectric layer through which visible light transmits, a first conductor layer, a pseudo layer, and a second conductor layer provided separately from the first conductor layer. At least part of the pseudo layer is disposed around the second conductor layer in a plan view. The inequality |n1−n2|/N≤1.09×10−1 holds where n1 and n2 (n1 and n2 are integers equal to or larger than zero) are N-level gradation values (N is a natural number) in a case where a first region that exists without overlapping the second conductor layer in the pseudo layer and a second region that exists without overlapping the pseudo layer in the second conductor layer, respectively, in the plan view are read at a resolution of 400 dpi.