[go: up one dir, main page]

EP4044363A1 - Dispositif de communication sans fil - Google Patents

Dispositif de communication sans fil Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP4044363A1
EP4044363A1 EP21157066.8A EP21157066A EP4044363A1 EP 4044363 A1 EP4044363 A1 EP 4044363A1 EP 21157066 A EP21157066 A EP 21157066A EP 4044363 A1 EP4044363 A1 EP 4044363A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
antenna
circuit board
printed circuit
housing
cover
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP21157066.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Mart Kornelis-Jan TE VELDE
Timon Rutger Grob
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Koninklijke Philips NV
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koninklijke Philips NV filed Critical Koninklijke Philips NV
Priority to EP21157066.8A priority Critical patent/EP4044363A1/fr
Publication of EP4044363A1 publication Critical patent/EP4044363A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/24—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set
    • H01Q1/241—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM
    • H01Q1/242—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM specially adapted for hand-held use
    • H01Q1/243—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM specially adapted for hand-held use with built-in antennas
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/08—Means for collapsing antennas or parts thereof
    • H01Q1/085—Flexible aerials; Whip aerials with a resilient base
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
    • H01Q1/273—Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals

Definitions

  • This invention relates to wireless communication devices, such as wearable sensors that report sensor data wirelessly.
  • Wearable health patches with wireless sensor data communication are well known, for example for measuring heart rate, respiration rate, activity levels, and posture (e.g. to detect a fall).
  • wireless communication systems examples include WiFi, Bluetooth, LoRa, 4G and 5G.
  • any desired wireless communications modality may be integrated into a sensor.
  • the wireless communication requires integration of an antenna into the sensor device.
  • An antenna may for example be printed on the circuit board that carries the main sensor components and circuitry.
  • the antenna may instead be a ceramic chip antenna, which is mounted on the printed circuit board as a surface mount component.
  • the antenna is designed for miniaturization and accordingly will compromise on efficiency. As a result, there will be a reduced effective range.
  • miniaturized planar antennas as used in wearable sensors do not give optimal range and power consumption. Whip or stub antennas are more efficient, but they are not suited for wearable biosensors because of their size.
  • the antenna may for example be formed at a top of the sensor housing, whereas the printed circuit board is mounted at a bottom of the sensor housing.
  • Spring loaded connections e.g. a spring-loaded pogo pin construction
  • other contact spring constructions e.g. conductive tracks formed on pillars of the housing.
  • a wireless communication device comprises:
  • This device design enables an antenna to be spaced from the printed circuit board by having a flexible antenna, which curves away from the printed circuit board toward the inner surface (e.g. the underside) of the cover of the housing.
  • the antenna may follow a path to a seating area within the volume of the housing. This seating area may be right against the inner surface of the cover of the housing or it may be spaced from the inner surface.
  • the wireless communication device may be a wearable device.
  • the wireless communications circuit may be for transmitting data using the antenna or for receiving data from the antenna or for both transmission and reception.
  • the device is for transmitting data to be reported to an external entity so that the wireless communications circuit has at least transmission capability.
  • the wireless communication device typically comprises a battery (or energy harvesting system) and is a standalone unit.
  • the device may be for sending any data.
  • the device for example comprises a wireless sensor and further comprises a sensor for collecting sensor data, wherein the wireless communications circuit is for wirelessly transmitting the sensor data using the antenna.
  • the sensor data may be physiological sensor data or other data such as position or movement data.
  • connection between the flexible antenna and the printed circuit board can be a conventional connection generally in the plane of printed circuit board, such as a solder connection or a plug and socket connection. It avoids the need for spring loaded connections or conductive tracks formed on pillars of the housing, which contain additional components, require enhanced positional accuracy in the assembly process and may exert an additional force between the cover and the printed circuit.
  • the printed circuit board is for example a rigid circuit board, so there is a rigid-to-flex connection between the printed circuit board and the flexible antenna.
  • the flexible antenna is for example seated against the inner surface (i.e. the underside) of the cover of the housing. This provides the greatest spacing from the printed circuit board, hence the greatest spacing from the subject wearing the device and hence this reduces attenuation.
  • the first location may be at a periphery of the printed circuit board. This enables the connection to be formed as an edge connector, and it does not take up any space from the main area of the printed circuit board.
  • the first location may be set back from a periphery of the printed circuit board. This may be preferred so that the printed circuit board is as large as possible within the housing.
  • the flexible antenna may comprise a carrier sheet having a conductive antenna layer formed on the carrier sheet.
  • the flexible antenna for example has the structure of a flexible printed circuit board, with a track or patch defining the conductive antenna layer.
  • the antenna layer is for example printed and the carrier sheet comprises a flexi foil. This provides a low cost set of components with simple assembly.
  • the carrier sheet for example has a projecting portion having an end for electrical and mechanical connection to the printed circuit board at the first location.
  • the carrier sheet thus has a main antenna area and a connection tab extending from the antenna area for connection to the printed circuit board. This may be the feed terminal of a patch antenna.
  • the carrier sheet comprises an antenna area and the projecting portion extends from a peripheral edge of the antenna area.
  • the antenna area is for example rectangular.
  • the carrier sheet comprises an antenna area with a recessed notch and the projecting portion extends outwardly from a base of the recessed notch.
  • a connection tab extends from a more central part of the antenna area. This forms a tongue, and it gives more freedom in positioning the location at which the flexible antenna connects to the printed circuit board.
  • the flexible antenna may be elastic and is elastically biased by its elasticity towards the inner surface of the cover of the housing.
  • the flexible antenna thus holds itself in position. It may for example be connected to the printed circuit board in a flat state, and the elastic bias is towards this flat state. During assembly, the flexible antenna is deformed away from the flat state and thereby an elastic bias is created.
  • the flexible antenna is for example electrically and mechanically connected to the printed circuit board by solder connections or by a plug connector. This provides a simple assembly process.
  • the invention also provides a method of assembling a device, the method comprising:
  • the flexible antenna is for example elastic and is elastically biased by its elasticity towards the inner surface of the housing cover.
  • the method may comprise electrically and mechanically connecting the flexible antenna to the printed circuit board by soldering or by use of a plug connector.
  • the invention provides a wireless communication device, which has a printed circuit board, a flexible antenna and a wireless communications circuit within a housing.
  • the flexible antenna follows a path from a location where it connects to the printed circuit board towards an inner surface of the cover of the housing (i.e. the internal underside of the cover).
  • the antenna is thereby spaced from the printed circuit board but has a simple connection to the printed circuit board.
  • the device is for example a sensor patch for wirelessly reporting sensor data, such as physiological sensor data.
  • the sensor data may be collected by an electrode in contact with the skin or by an optical system for sensing optical signals at the skin surface.
  • Figure 1 shows an example of how to implement such an arrangement.
  • FIG. 1 shows a wireless communication device in the form of a sensor 10 comprising a housing 12 having a base 14 and a cover 16 which forms a top of the housing. It is noted that the terms “base” and “top” are used only for convenience and are not intended to imply any required orientation of the device.
  • a printed circuit board 18 is mounted at the base 14 of the housing and carries a sensor circuit 20 comprising a sensor for collecting sensor data and a wireless transmission circuit for wirelessly transmitting the sensor data.
  • An antenna 22 is mounted at a top part of the internal space of the housing (i.e. spaced from the base), for example against the cover.
  • a spring-loaded pogo pin connector 24 for making contact between a contact pad 26 of the printed circuit board and a spring-loaded contact face 28 of the pogo pin connector 24.
  • conductive tracks provided along pillars, which project down from the antenna, and spring contacts on the printed circuit board.
  • FIG. 2 shows a first example of a wearable sensor in accordance with the invention. The same parts are given the same reference numbers as in Figure 1 .
  • Figure 2A shows the sensor before the assembly is complete, in particular with the housing cover 16 opened up.
  • Figure 2B shows the sensor when assembly is complete, and
  • Figure 2C shows a plan view of the shape of the antenna.
  • the senor 10 comprises a housing 12 having a base 14 and a cover 16.
  • a printed circuit board 18 is mounted at or near the base 14 of the housing and carries the sensor circuit 20, again comprising a sensor for collecting sensor data and a wireless transmission circuit for wirelessly transmitting the sensor data.
  • the antenna 22 is a flexible antenna, which is electrically and mechanically connected to the printed circuit board at a first location 40.
  • the antenna may be a microstrip patch antenna or a loop antenna formed as a conductive track. There may be two electrical connections, one to a feed line of a patch antenna and one to a ground plane, or connections to opposite ends of a loop antenna.
  • the antenna comprises a conductive plane, parallel to the printed circuit board assembly, with two electrical connections; ground and feed. Slits can be present in the conductive plane to tune to the correct frequency bands.
  • the antenna 22 is flat and generally in the same plane as the printed circuit board 18.
  • the connection between the flexible antenna 22 and the printed circuit board 18 can be a conventional connection such as a solder connection between traces on the printed circuit board and traces forming part of the flexible antenna. Instead, a connector may be soldered to the printed circuit board 18 and the antenna may have plug connector.
  • the antenna In the connected state shown, the antenna is generally planar and in a plane parallel to the plane of the printed circuit board. The connection does not need any spring loaded connections or pillar designs.
  • the printed circuit board 18 is for example a conventional rigid circuit board, so there is a rigid-to-flex connection between the printed circuit board 18 and the flexible antenna 22.
  • any suitable connection may be used between the antenna and the printed circuit board, and which makes the connection without needing the presence of the cover 16 of the housing.
  • the electrical connection can be made by soldering or by using a connector (e.g. a zero insertion force (ZIF) connector).
  • the flexible antenna can be part of an integral flex-rigid printed circuit board assembly.
  • the flexible antenna for example comprises a carrier sheet such as a flexi foil having an antenna track formed e.g. printed on the carrier sheet.
  • the flexible antenna for example has the structure of a flexible printed circuit board, with a track or patch defining the antenna conductor.
  • the assembly process involves fitting the cover 16 of the housing to the base 14. This may comprise closing the cover around a pivot as shown, but the cover may instead be a separate part that simply fits over the base.
  • Figure 2B shows that in the assembled state, the flexible antenna 22 follows a path from the printed circuit board 18 towards an inner surface of the cover 16 of the housing.
  • the antenna is thereby spaced from the printed circuit board by having a flexible antenna that curves away from the printed circuit board towards the inner surface of the cover of the housing.
  • the antenna seats right against the inner surface of the cover of the housing. This provides the greatest spacing from the printed circuit for a given housing shape, hence the greatest spacing from the subject wearing the sensor.
  • the housing may adopt a shape defined by guide portions of the housing.
  • it may be spaced from the inner surface of the cover of the housing, but still spaced from the printed circuit board.
  • the housing functions as an antenna guide, either using internal features of the housing, or the inner surface of the cover of the housing.
  • the antenna for example has an area of at least 50%, or at least 70% of the area of the printed circuit board. Thus, it is larger than the free space that would be available on the printed circuit board.
  • the antenna may even have an area approaching the size of the printed circuit board (e.g. more than 80% of the area) so that the antenna is maximized in size relative to the size of the sensor.
  • the first location 40 is at a periphery, i.e. near an edge, of the printed circuit board. This enables the connection to be formed as an edge connector, and it does not take up any space from the main area of the printed circuit board.
  • Figure 2C shows an example of the shape of the antenna 22.
  • the antenna shape is defined by the carrier sheet, and it comprises a main rectangular antenna area 22a and a projecting portion 22b extending outwardly from the peripheral edge of the main area 22a.
  • the end of the projection is the first location 40 at which for electrical and mechanical connection is to be made to the printed circuit board.
  • This example shows a patch antenna. The feed lines and connections are not shown in detail since these are all routine.
  • Figure 3 shows a modification to the design of Figure 2 .
  • the same reference numbers are used for the same components.
  • Figure 3A shows the sensor before the assembly is complete, in particular with the housing cover opened up.
  • Figure 3B shows the sensor when assembly is complete, and
  • Figure 3C shows a plan view of the shape of the antenna.
  • the first location 40 is set back from a periphery of the printed circuit board, for example near the center of the printed circuit board. This may be preferred so that the printed circuit board is as large as possible within the housing.
  • the carrier sheet comprises an antenna area 22a with a recessed notch 22c, and the projecting portion 22b extends outwardly from a base of the recessed notch 22c.
  • the projection portion 22b forms a connection tab, which extends from a more central part of the antenna area. This forms a tongue, and it gives more freedom in positioning the location 40 at which the flexible antenna connects to the printed circuit board.
  • the flexible antenna may be elastically deformable, with the rest state being the flat state shown in Figures 2A and 3A .
  • the antenna After assembly, the antenna is elastically biased by its elasticity towards the inner surface of the cover of the housing, as it tries to return to the straight configuration.
  • This elastic bias may be the result of the material of the antenna and/or the nature of the connection between the antenna and the printed circuit board.
  • the flexible antenna thus holds itself in position in the assembled state.
  • the antenna 22 for example has an average height over the PCB (i.e. an average height for the whole area of the antenna carrier) in the range 2mm to 15mm, such as 4mm to 10mm, for example approximately 6mm.
  • a low height enables a low profile sensor and hence improves wearability.
  • a battery may be located beneath the printed circuit board, e.g. with 5mm depth. Including such a battery, a total height of the sensor may be in the range 10 mm to 20 mm.
  • the area of the antenna carrier can be in the range 3 cm 2 to 25 cm 2 , such as 5 cm 2 to 25 cm 2 , or 8 cm 2 to 15 cm 2 .
  • relatively small cellular antennas exists with dimensions 2.5 cm x 5 cm (12.5 cm 2 ) to cover all cellular bands.
  • Bluetooth Low Energy an antenna can be even smaller and may then be mounted directly on the printed circuit board.
  • an accelerometer based sensor patch may have dimensions 2.9 cm x 5.2 cm.
  • the sensor components, such as the accelerometer in this example, may be very small.
  • a cellular antenna will be the limiting factor for the minimum size of the sensor patch.
  • Sensor patches with an electrode for contacting the skin may be larger, in particular if there are multiple spaced electrodes.
  • electrodes may be positioned 10cm away from each other.
  • the assembly of the sensor thus involves:
  • the invention relates to the antenna configuration.
  • the sensor may be a chemical sensor e.g. for sweat or other biomaterial analysis, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an optical sensor (e.g. a PPG sensor), a conductivity sensor, an ECG sensor, an EEG sensor, an eCTG sensor, a gas sensor, an ultrasound patch or other imaging sensor, or indeed any other known patch type sensor, for example electrode based sensor, in particular any electrode based biosensor.
  • antenna conductor Any suitable design of antenna conductor may be used.
  • the base of the housing for example has an opening to enable contact between the body and a sensor interface, or else the housing may be closed, for example with a window for an optical signal.
  • the housing may have any suitable shape.
  • the routing of the antenna to a location above the plane of the printed circuit board means there is more space for a larger antenna as well as a spacing from the base.
  • the printed circuit board does not need to be mounted directly at the base of the housing. This is desirable if a component carried by the printed circuit board is to make contact with the body. However, some sensors do not require such contact, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, and the printed circuit board may then be spaced from the base of the housing, but the antenna is then positioned even more spaced from the base.
  • the invention has been described with reference to a sensor patch. However, the invention relates generally to a way to integrate an antenna and associated wireless communication circuit in a compact way within a housing.
  • the data to be transmitted (or received) may not be sensor data - it may be any data generated or sensed at the device, which is to be transmitted.
  • the antenna and communications circuit may instead be used to receive commands for controlling the device.
  • the device may be an actuator rather than a sensor. It may of course have both sensing and actuation functionality and the wireless communication may be bidirectional, with a wireless transceiver circuit.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Support Of Aerials (AREA)
EP21157066.8A 2021-02-15 2021-02-15 Dispositif de communication sans fil Withdrawn EP4044363A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21157066.8A EP4044363A1 (fr) 2021-02-15 2021-02-15 Dispositif de communication sans fil

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21157066.8A EP4044363A1 (fr) 2021-02-15 2021-02-15 Dispositif de communication sans fil

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4044363A1 true EP4044363A1 (fr) 2022-08-17

Family

ID=74625857

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21157066.8A Withdrawn EP4044363A1 (fr) 2021-02-15 2021-02-15 Dispositif de communication sans fil

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4044363A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080122705A1 (en) * 2005-01-31 2008-05-29 Fujitsu Component Limited Antenna apparatus and electronic device
US20140292587A1 (en) * 2013-04-02 2014-10-02 Apple Inc. Electronic Device With Reduced Emitted Radiation During Loaded Antenna Operating Conditions
US20160149292A1 (en) * 2014-11-21 2016-05-26 Qualcomm Incorporated Wearable Electronic Patch with Antenna Enhancement

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080122705A1 (en) * 2005-01-31 2008-05-29 Fujitsu Component Limited Antenna apparatus and electronic device
US20140292587A1 (en) * 2013-04-02 2014-10-02 Apple Inc. Electronic Device With Reduced Emitted Radiation During Loaded Antenna Operating Conditions
US20160149292A1 (en) * 2014-11-21 2016-05-26 Qualcomm Incorporated Wearable Electronic Patch with Antenna Enhancement

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR101674579B1 (ko) 생체용 전극 및 이를 포함하는 생체신호 측정장치
US9660324B2 (en) Hybrid piezoelectric device / radio frequency antenna
US11534086B2 (en) Low-profile wearable medical device
US9583256B2 (en) Three-dimensional wireless charging coil
EP1776922A1 (fr) Electrode a biosignaux
US20090105646A1 (en) Multi-Frequency Communication System For A Drug Infusion Device
CN111973174B (zh) 一种心电图检测装置
CN120303063A (zh) 分析物监测设备
EP4044363A1 (fr) Dispositif de communication sans fil
US12506255B2 (en) Wearable device
US9530993B2 (en) Battery holding device
CN115530769B (zh) 一种可穿戴设备
CN110584620A (zh) 可穿戴设备
CN113747833B (zh) 包括顺应的柔性印刷电路组件的患者佩戴的传感器
CN211131029U (zh) 可穿戴设备
CN222841025U (zh) 心电计
CN211704606U (zh) 可穿戴设备
CN120788587B (zh) 生物电信号检测模块及生物电信号检测设备
AU2024268691A1 (en) A wearable electronic device comprising an rf antenna
EP3764465B1 (fr) Dispositif de communication
US20230346309A1 (en) Water-resistant patient monitoring device
CN223601453U (zh) 血糖检测仪的控制模块及血糖检测仪
KR100855247B1 (ko) 생체용 전극 및 이를 포함하는 생체신호 측정장치
EP4362665B1 (fr) Dispositif de suivi d'animal portable et procedes associes
CN223193407U (zh) 检测仪的电控模块及检测仪

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20230218