Hybrid piezoelectric device / radio frequency antenna
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a ground plane;
a radio-frequency radiator, the radiator offset from the ground plane in a direction substantially normal to the ground plane by at least a first distance;
a feed post conductively connected to the radiator; and
a piezoelectric assembly offset from the ground plane in a direction substantially normal to the ground plane, wherein the radiator is between the ground plane and the piezoelectric assembly in a layered arrangement, the piezoelectric assembly being either in conductive contact with the radiator or electrically coupled with the radiator and not in conductive contact with the radiator, wherein the piezoelectric assembly, the radiator, the ground plane, and the feed post together form an antenna configured to produce and receive electro-magnetic radio-frequency signals;
a first housing portion of a wearable device; and
a second housing portion of the wearable device and mated to the first housing portion, wherein the radiator is supported in a recess between the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the recess being positioned outside a display cover of the wearable device.
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Abstract
A hybrid antenna including a piezoelectric device and an RF radiator. The hybrid antenna is capable of providing both RF and piezoelectric device functionality, e.g., radio frequency transmission/reception capabilities for radio frequency devices as well as sound-producing and/or energy-scavenging functionality via the piezoelectric device. The piezoelectric device may be in conductive contact with the RF radiator or may not be in conductive contact with the RF radiator.
80 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a ground plane; a radio-frequency radiator, the radiator offset from the ground plane in a direction substantially normal to the ground plane by at least a first distance; a feed post conductively connected to the radiator; and a piezoelectric assembly offset from the ground plane in a direction substantially normal to the ground plane, wherein the radiator is between the ground plane and the piezoelectric assembly in a layered arrangement, the piezoelectric assembly being either in conductive contact with the radiator or electrically coupled with the radiator and not in conductive contact with the radiator, wherein the piezoelectric assembly, the radiator, the ground plane, and the feed post together form an antenna configured to produce and receive electro-magnetic radio-frequency signals; a first housing portion of a wearable device; and a second housing portion of the wearable device and mated to the first housing portion, wherein the radiator is supported in a recess between the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the recess being positioned outside a display cover of the wearable device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification