EP3931905B1

EP3931905B1 - Antenna for soil sensors

Info

Publication number: EP3931905B1
Application number: EP19818037.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ari HÄÄTYLÄ; Sami HIENONEN
Original assignee: Husqvarna AB
Current assignee: Husqvarna AB
Priority date: 2019-02-25
Filing date: 2019-12-09
Publication date: 2024-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-09
Also published as: CN113474943B; WO2020173592A1; TW202103367A; EP3931905A1; CN113474943A

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to transceiver devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the transceiver devices which provide benefits of improved characteristics associated with an antenna of the transceiver devices.

BACKGROUND

Transceiver devices include an antenna to exchange data generally with a mobile unit such as a lawnmower in case of outdoor applications. During application, the transceiver devices are installed in a ground surface from where the exchange of data with mobile unit takes place. But there have been concerns regarding low range antenna characteristic (specially range of the antenna) leading to a less efficient implementation. This seems to be the case when the transceiver device is installed deep into the ground surface leading to loss of range of the antenna characteristic. To cater to this issue, there can be a provision to increase dimensions i.e. length of the antenna or a compromise with the range (of the antenna characteristic) which are usually unacceptable for multiple reasons.
Moreover, such issues lead to an unreliable and less efficient working with the lawnmowers which require proper guidance from the antenna for better maneuvering. There have been efforts in the past to address such issues but there is still a need for a solution to reduce the loss of the antenna characteristic and direct them over the ground for efficient working.
An example of a transceiver device is provided by US93,26,462 (hereinafter referred to as '462 reference). The '462 reference provides a soil moisture sensor. The soil moisture sensor includes a sensor body having a horizontally elongated shape. A sensor circuit assembly is horizontally disposed within the sensor body, and an antenna is coupled to the sensor circuit assembly and oriented horizontally within the sensor body. A sensor probe assembly is connected at a first end of said sensor body so as to be generally perpendicular to the horizontally elongated shape of the sensor body. However, the '462 reference seems silent on improving antenna characteristic of the soil moisture sensor.
Further, the '462 reference may be limited with constraints related to any other shape/dimension/type of the antenna, compared to its present configuration.
U.S. patent reference 2014/152528 discloses a ruggedized electronic enclosure for in-ground installation. In one embodiment, the ruggedized electronic enclosure includes a top cover which is exposed above a top surface of the ground and a cylindrical base portion which is embedded within the ground. Further, the ruggedized electronic enclosure includes a sensor, an antenna and a PCB, where the antenna is mounted parallel above the PCB with spacers. However, the '528 reference seems to propose application of multiple and separate spacers which may not form part of an antenna housing from implementation and other benefits.
U.S. patent reference 2008/0143610 discloses compact portable wireless devices and antennas therefor. A compact portable wireless device may include a transceiver module that is used in communicating with equipment such as a handheld electronic device. A planar ground structure for an antenna may be formed from a circuit board on which integrated circuits have been mounted. The wireless device includes a piezoelectric sensor for sensing footsteps, a battery, a PCB. The antenna is mounted above the PCB and has a dielectric spacer at one end such that the antenna and PCB have a predefined distance, and signals from the sensor are sent via the transceiver to the antenna. The '610 reference seems specific to above ground applications and does not seem to focus on integrated provision for an integrated spacer which may be part of a housing of the antenna.
Another example is U.S. patent reference 2015/0270604 . The '604 reference discloses an antenna which includes a first conductor having a first planar surface and a second conductor having a second planar surface. The second planar surface is substantially parallel to the first planar surface. Further, an antenna conducting pin is connected to the first conductor and extending between the first and second conductors and spacing them apart. The antenna may include a solid dielectric spacer arranged in the space between the first and second planar surfaces. The dielectric spacer includes bores to accommodate the antenna conducting pin (or antenna rod) and shorting pins. However, the spacer of the '604 reference does not seem to separate the antenna with metal surfaces, as the spacer means houses
the antenna conducting pin within the bores. Also, there seems to be no arrangement for a simple, and integrated provision for the spacer which may be integrated with a housing of the antenna.
Thus, there is a need for improved transceiver device which provides benefits of above-ground and wide-range antenna characteristic, without substantial changes to the transceiver device.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the drawbacks discussed above. The objective is at least partially achieved by a transceiver device. The transceiver device includes a housing. The transceiver device includes at least one battery housed within the housing. The transceiver device includes an antenna housed within the housing. Further, the antenna has a metal surface below the antenna. The transceiver device includes a sensor electrically coupled with the at least one battery and configured with the antenna. The transceiver device is characterized in that the housing is provided with a spacer means such that the antenna and the metal surface are disposed at a predefined distance relative to each other. Thus, the present disclosure provides a simple, convenient and efficient working of the transceiver device with better control of range and scope of the antenna characteristic.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the housing comprises an antenna housing and a battery housing. Provision of separation between the antenna housing and the battery housing leads to benefits such as low interference between electronic components and antenna signals, better ergonomic, ease of maintenance, among others.
In an embodiment not being covered by the claimed invention the spacer means is a spacer frame with dimensions in accordance with the predefined distance. The spacer frame can be easily inserted or removed thereby allowing change in the predefined distance and desired antenna characteristics as per the requirement.
The spacer means is a part of the housing in the form of an indent or protrusion of the housing to cater for the predefined distance. This may be more applicable in installations which require a semi-permanent or fixed installation of the transceiver device, where the spacer means may not need to be changed often.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the spacer means between the antenna and the metal surface imparts a desired antenna characteristic. This allows wide application of the transceiver device with outdoor appliances such as robotic mowers etc.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the metal surface is a radio module PCBA. The metal surface can be any other electronic device or module, PCB, as will be evident to a person having knowledge in the art.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the antenna is at least partially covered by a top cover. Presence of the top cover protects the transceiver device from external agents (say dust, moisture) while extending working life of the transceiver device.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor can measure at least one parameter associated with the surrounding environment of the sensor. The transceiver device may then transmit the measured parameter to any connected device such as robotic mower, user device (laptop, smartphone etc.) and the like.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is a soil sensor. The transceiver device of the present disclosure can be readily implemented with any sensor, particularly sensors used in outside (garden) applications, such as the soil sensor.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the metal surface includes wings. This presence of wings can be beneficial from considerations such as radiation, isolation optimization among any other benefit as will be evident to a person having knowledge in the art.
Other features and aspects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a transceiver device along with some important parts thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a sensor of the transceiver device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of assembly of the sensor in the transceiver device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of assembly of the sensor in the transceiver device, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of assembly of a spacer element to the sensor element in the transceiver device, in accordance with an embodiment not being covered by the claimed invention;
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the sensor and the transceiver device post potting, in accordance with an embodiment not being covered by the claimed invention;
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of closing of antenna of the sensor in the transceiver device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the transceiver device provided with a top cover attached thereto, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the transceiver device with a battery cap attached thereto, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 shows perspective views of the transceiver device with the battery cover attached thereto, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of internal parts of the transceiver device without the battery cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.
Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "longitudinal", "lateral", "transverse", "upwards", "downwards", "forward", "backward", "sideward", "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "upward", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "top", "bottom", "higher", "above", "below", "central", "middle", "intermediate", "between", "end", "adjacent", "proximate", "near", "distal", "remote", "radial", "circumferential", or the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.
FIG. 1 illustrates a the transceiver device 100 along with some important parts of the transceiver device 100. The transceiver device 100 finds applications in outdoor environments such as gardens, lawns and the like where monitoring of ground/soil/environment factors (say temperature, humidity, solar radiation) is required. The transceiver device 100 is generally installed substantially inside ground within the outdoor environments and it has an antenna 230 (shown in FIG. 2 ) to communicate the monitored information (of soil and the like) to an external device such as robotic mowers, user devices (say laptop, tab, smart phone). In some applications, the transceiver device 100 may be readily removed from the ground of the outside environments for purposes such as maintenance, data collection and the like. The present disclosure primarily discusses effect on antenna characteristics of the antenna 230 of the transceiver device 100, when the antenna 230 is placed in vicinity of a metal surface 240 (shown in FIG. 2 ) and the like, however the present disclosure can be readily applied to any electronic device which uses an antenna, PCBs or like component.
As illustrated, the transceiver device 100 includes a housing 110. The housing 110 is divided into a battery housing 112 and an antenna housing 114. Separation of the battery housing 112 and the antenna housing 114 may be due to ergonomic consideration, ease of maintenance and low interference between working (say signals) from the antenna 230, radio and electronic devices of the transceiver device 100 among others. The housing 110 includes at least one battery 116 housed within the housing 110, while the present disclosure shows two batteries 116 housed within the housing 110. From implementation perspective, the batteries 116 are inserted inside the housing 110 from below the housing 110 (as seen with respect to the perspective view illustrated here) however other installation position, direction, or orientation have been contemplated and are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Further, the housing 110 includes a rail 118 or any other attaching means to mate with a sensor 200 (attaching assembly as illustrated FIG. 3 onwards). In some embodiments, the battery 116 can be a rechargeable battery, particularly which may be timely charged by use of solar radiation and the like during outdoor applications.
Moreover, when the batteries 116 are inserted inside the housing 110, then a battery cap 120 (with installed O-ring and battery spring contacts 302) can be secured to the housing 110. This will provide benefits such as proper positioning, and working of the batteries 116 within the housing 110. After installation of the battery cap 120, a battery cover 130 is used to cover the housing 110 from below and to check any undesirable removal or loss of the batteries 116. The transceiver device 100 of the present disclosure further includes an additional element such as a spacer frame 140 as illustrated here. The spacer frame 140 is disclosed having generally a "H" shape in various embodiments of the present disclosure, however the present disclosure is not to be limited by any shape/size/dimension/type of the spacer frame 140. So, the spacer frame 140 may of any other shape say "I", "T", "O" or any alphabetical or convenient shape suitable for mass production and ease of assembly with the transceiver device 100. Moreover, the spacer frame 140 can be produced with any material such as, but not limited to, metal, glass fiber, rubber, with particular consideration to non-interference with working of the antenna 240, PCBAs and other electronic components of the transceiver device 100. Thus, the present disclosure is not to be limited by the choice of the material of the spacer frame 140 in any manner.
FIG. 2 shows the sensor 200 of the transceiver device 100. The sensor 200 includes a sensor PCBA 212 and a reset button 214 provided on a plate 210. The reset button 214 can be used to reset the sensor 200, or for any other functionality thereof as will be evident to a person having knowledge in the art. Further, a radio module PCBA 240 and an antenna 230 are attached to the plate 210 by a flexible wire 250. The sensor 200 is electrically coupled, by means of the battery spring contacts 302, with the batteries 116 and configured with the antenna 230.
In some embodiments, the spacer frame 140 may be configured to change the predefined distance between the antenna 230 and radio module PCBA 240 dynamically to effectuate desired change to the antenna characteristic of the transceiver device 100. This feature may be readily employed to change the range of the antenna characteristic which, in turn, leads to change in the working range of mobile robotic devices such as mowers which are wirelessly connected with the transceiver device 100. Moreover, extended range of the antenna characteristic of the transceiver device 100 may be required to supplement diminishing power of the batteries 116, or to convey signal or notifications of draining battery status or any other issue to user devices (say mobile, laptop etc.).
In some embodiments, the radio module PCBA 240 can be coupled to the antenna 230 through a spring-loaded contact element similar to battery spring contacts 302 of the present disclosure. Although, a spring-loaded arrangement is preferred, other arrangements as known or used in the art have been contemplated and are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Preference for the spring-loaded contact element can be attributed to ease of working, and maintenance among other benefits.
The sensor 200 measures at least one parameter associated with the surrounding environment of the sensor 200. In some embodiments, the sensor 200 can be a soil sensor. The transceiver device 100 of the present disclosure can be readily implemented with any sensor including the soil sensor 200, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor etc., and the present disclosure is not to be limited by the sensor 200 in any manner.
FIG. 3 illustrates assembly of the sensor 200 to the transceiver device 100. In particular, the plate 210 of the sensor 200 is attached by means of glue to the rail 118 of the housing 110, however other attaching means such as, but not limited to, a magnet, mechanical coupling are possible and are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Further, the transceiver device 100 includes the battery spring contacts 302 with rivets which are used to set up an electrical connection between the batteries 116 and the sensor 200, refer FIG. 4 .
FIG. 4 illustrates installation of PCBAs such as the radio module PCBA 240 housed within the housing 110, particularly within the antenna housing 114. Here, the radio module PCBA 240 is illustrated within the antenna housing 114 while the antenna 230 is still to move within the antenna housing 114 completely. Further, the antenna 230 has the metal surface 240 (i.e. the radio module PCBA 240) below the antenna 230. FIG. 5 illustrates insertion of a spacer means above the radio module PCBA 240 such that the antenna 230 and the metal surface 240 are disposed at a predefined distance relative to each other. As illustrated, the spacer means is the spacer frame 140 with dimensions in accordance with the predefined distance. The spacer frame 140 can be easily inserted or removed thereby allowing change in the predefined distance. During implementation, presence of the spacer means between the antenna 230 and the metal surface 240 imparts the desired antenna characteristic. This allows wide application of the transceiver device 100 with outdoor appliances such as robotic mowers etc.
As used herein, the present disclosure refers to "antenna characteristic" as a profile or range and like factors of the antenna 230 which have a bearing on exchange of data with any outdoor machine/unit/device (say robot mower, smartphone, laptop etc.) during working of the antenna 230. Further, as will be evident to a person having knowledge in the art, the "antenna characteristic" needs to be as wide-in-range, above-ground, horizontally defined to enhance the working of the antenna 230 in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure.
In an embodiment, the spacer means is a part of the antenna housing 114 in the form of an indent or protrusion (not shown, and can be as per the requirement) of the antenna housing 114 to cater for the predefined distance. This may be more applicable in installations with a need of a semi-permanent and like solutions where the spacer means may not be needed to be changed often.
FIG. 6 illustrate the sensor 200 and the transceiver device 100 post potting, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Process of potting (by means of soil to be tested or monitored) is performed around the spacer frame 140 within the antenna housing 114 leading to potting 602 of the radio module PCBA 240 along with potting 602 of the sensor PCBA 212.
FIG. 7 illustrates closing of the antenna 230 of the sensor 200 in the transceiver device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This makes the transceiver device 100 almost ready for installation within ground of any external/outdoor environment such as gardens, lawns and the like. Further, FIG. 8 illustrates the antenna 230 of the transceiver device 100 after being covered by a top cover 802. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate different views of the transceiver device 100. In some embodiments, the antenna 230 can be at least partially enclosed by the top cover 802. The top cover 802, as illustrated in accordance with various implementations of the present disclosure, is provided to protect any component of the transceiver device 100 from external agents (say dust, moisture) along with extending working life of the transceiver device 100. Further, the top cover 802 may also serve as a shock-proof and mechanical-access arrangement considering possible interaction of over ground portion of the transceiver device 100 with mobile units such as lawnmowers and the like. During maintenance, the top cover 802 may allow better access to inside of the housing 110 of the transceiver device 100 as per the need.
In some embodiments, the transceiver device 100 further includes soil mounted valve boxes (not shown). The soil mounted valve boxes can be any type of the valve means which can allow better modulation of the water content during working with the transceiver device 100.
Moreover, FIG. 9 illustrates the transceiver device 100 with the battery cap 120 covering the batteries 116 to protect the batteries 116 from external elements (say rain, dust, humidity etc.) and allow proper orientation of the batteries 116 inside the housing 110. The battery cap 120 further serves as an additional layer of protection and securement of the batteries 116 before the battery cover 130 is installed around the battery cap 120 and the housing 110, as illustrated in FIG. 10 . Moreover, FIG. 10 shows different views of the transceiver device 100 of the present disclosure with the top cover 802 and the battery cover 130 attached thereto, making the transceiver device 100 ready for the desired application.
FIG. 11 illustrates internal parts of the transceiver device 100 without the battery cover 130, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The metal surface or radio module PCB 240 has wings 1102. The wings 1102 are illustrated as wall-arrangement attached (or integrally formed) with the metal surface or radio module PCBA 240 from considerations such as radiation, isolation optimization. However, other shape/style/dimension/type of the wings 1102 have been contemplated and are well within the scope of the present disclosure.
As illustrated in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, size/dimensions/area of plane of the metal surface/radio module PCBA 240 shall be more, or similar to plane of the antenna 230. The metal surface or radio module PCBA 240 with a large area will be optimum for good isolation from ground and radiation simultaneously. With application of the metal surface/radio module PCBA 240 such as over a ground 1104, the area of the metal surface/radio module PCBA 240 shall be optimized such that the isolation is not unreasonably low (say for very small areas) or radiation is substantially hampered (say for very large areas).
Alternatively, the antenna 230 can also have a larger size/dimensions/area as compared to the metal surface/radio module PCBA 240 and all such variations have been contemplated and are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the antenna 230 can have a flat area, preferably with provisions of minor holes from mechanical and any other considerations. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

LIST OF ELEMENTS

100: Transceiver Device
110: Housing
112: Battery Housing
114: Antenna Housing
116: Battery
118: Rail
120: Battery Cap
130: Battery Cover
140: Spacer Frame
200: Sensor
210: Plate
212: Sensor PCBA
214: Reset Button
230: Antenna
240: Metal Surface/Radio Module PCBA
250: Flexible Wire
302: Battery Spring Contacts
602: Potting
802: Top cover
1102: Wings
1104: Ground

Claims

A transceiver device (100) comprising:
a housing (110);

at least one battery (116) housed within the housing (110);

an antenna (230) housed within the housing (110); a metal surface (240),

wherein the metal surface (240)is below the antenna (230);

and a sensor (200) electrically coupled with the at least one battery (116) and configured with the antenna (230);

wherein the housing (110) is provided with a spacer means such that the antenna (230) and the metal surface (240) are disposed at a predefined distance relative to each other;

characterized in that:
the spacer means is a part of the housing (110) in the form of an indent or protrusion of the housing (110) to cater for the predefined distance.
The transceiver device (100) of claim 1, wherein the housing (110) comprises an antenna housing (112) and a battery housing (114).
The transceiver device (100) of claim 1 to 2, wherein the spacer means between the antenna (230) and the metal surface (240) is configured to impart a desired antenna characteristic.
The transceiver device (100) of claim 1 to 2, wherein the metal surface (240) is a radio module PCBA (240).
The transceiver device (100) of claim 1 to 4, further comprising a top cover (802), wherein the antenna (230) is at least partially top covered by the top cover (802).
The transceiver device (100) of any of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the sensor (200) is configured to measure at least one parameter associated with the surrounding environment of the sensor (200).
The transceiver device (100) of any of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the sensor (200) is a soil sensor.
The transceiver device (100) of any of any of the preceding claims, wherein the metal surface (240) includes wings (1102).