Zoned Transparent Shielding Element for Multi-Sensor Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and cost of manufacturing multi-sensor systems with multiple optical sensors are increased due to the need for separate electromagnetically shielding elements and individual electrical connections for each sensor, which complicates assembly and attachment.
Innovation Solution
A single optically transparent electromagnetically shielding element with multiple zones, featuring a continuous substrate and electrically conductive two-dimensional structures that provide different optical transmission and shielding efficiency values in each zone, allowing a single electrical connection to protect multiple sensors effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate electromagnetically shielding elements are used for each optical sensor, then each sensor is effectively protected from electromagnetic radiation, but the assembly complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate shielding elements into a single integrated shielding element that protects multiple optical sensors simultaneously. This single element includes multiple zones with different conductive structures, allowing it to provide electromagnetic shielding for multiple sensors while reducing assembly complexity and the number of electrical connections required.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding element is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple optical sensors with different shielding requirements through its zoned structure. Each zone can be optimized for specific sensors while the entire element functions as a unified shielding component, reducing the need for multiple specialized shielding elements.
2Reliability
If separate electrical connections are made for each shielding element, then each sensor receives adequate electromagnetic protection, but the manufacturing cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electrical connections into a single electrical connection that serves the entire zoned shielding element. The conductive structures in different zones are electrically interconnected within the single element, allowing one electrical connection to ground to provide shielding for multiple sensors, thereby reducing assembly time and manufacturing cost.
3Device complexity
If a single shielding element is used for multiple sensors, then assembly complexity is reduced, but it becomes difficult to provide optimal shielding and transparency for each sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dividing the shielding element into multiple zones, where each zone has specifically tailored conductive structures optimized for the particular optical sensor it protects. This allows each zone to provide optimal electromagnetic shielding and optical transparency characteristics for its associated sensor, while the zones are integrated into a single element for simplified assembly.
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 solution simplifies the assembly and reduces the manufacturing cost of multi-sensor systems by integrating electrical connections and allowing a single shielding element to protect multiple sensors, while maintaining optimal optical transparency and shielding efficiency for each sensor.
Implementation Method 1
the shielding element includes at least one two-dimensional structure which is electrically conductive while being at least partially transparent to optical radiation
Implementation Method 2
the electrically conductive two-dimensional structure is arranged on one of the faces of the substrate
Implementation Method 3
a rigid substrate having two opposite faces and which is at least partially transparent, between its two faces, to at least one electromagnetic radiation having a frequency f between 0.1 GHz (gigahertz) and 40 GHz
Data Source
AI summary
A shielding element comprises a rigid substrate and at least one electrically conductive two-dimensional structure which is placed on one of the faces of the substrate. The substrate and the electrically conductive two-dimensional structure are such that the shielding element has optical-transmission and shielding-efficiency values at least one of which varies between two zones of the shielding element. Such a shielding element enables easier assembly of a detection system comprising multiple optical sensors.