Flexible electrode antenna

• US 20040085253A1
• Filed: 10/21/2003
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Ngin, Sywong
• Granted Patent: US 6,859,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/897
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/02 in the form of fibres or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/06 comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/06 as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/02 Physical, chemical or physicochemical properties
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3233 particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/40 Radiating elements coated with or embedded in protective material
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome

Abstract

The invention provides a flexible electrode antenna having a layer of conductive material laminated between a layer of flame retardant material and a layer of protective material. The layer of conductive material is preferably a metalized polymer substrate having corrosion resistant properties. The flame retardant material is preferably a glass cloth, while the protective material is preferably a non-woven material.

Claims

1. A flexible electrode antenna comprising:

a layer of conductive material;

a layer of flame retardant material adhered to a first side of the layer of conductive material; and

a layer of protective material adhered to a second side of the layer of conductive material.

2. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 1, wherein the layer of conductive material is comprised of a layer of copper between two layers of nickel.

3. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 2, wherein the layer of copper has a thickness in the range of 2000 to 3000 angstroms.

4. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 3, wherein the layer of copper has a thickness of about 2500 angstroms.

5. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 2, wherein the layers of nickel have a thickness in the range of 250 to 600 angstroms.

6. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 5, wherein the layers of nickel have a thickness of about 400 angstroms.

7. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 1, wherein the layer of conductive material comprises a layer of nickel.

8. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 1, wherein the layer of conductive material comprises a layer conductive non-woven material.

9. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 1, wherein the layer of conductive material comprises a layer conductive woven material.

10. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 1 wherein the layer of conductive material is comprised of a polymer substrate having a metalized layer on a first major surface of the substrate.

11. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 10, wherein the metalized layer on the first major surface of the polymer substrate comprises a layer of nickel.

12. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 10, wherein the metalized layer on the first major surface of the polymer substrate comprises layers of nickel and copper.

13. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 1, wherein the flame retardant layer is glass cloth.

14. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 13, wherein the glass cloth is formed of blown glass fibers.

15. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 1, wherein the protective material is a nonwoven material.

16. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 15, wherein the protective material is a non-woven PET.

17. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 13, wherein the antenna has a tear resistance value using test standard ASTM D 1004-94A in the range from 8.0 to 11.6 pounds in the machine direction.

18. The flexible electrical antenna of claim 13, wherein the antenna has a tear resistance value using test standard ASTM D 1004-94A in the range from 9.7 to 20.7 pounds in the cross direction.