MOLDED PLASTIC 360 DEGREE ANTENNA SUPPORT

MO7VROLA Technical Developments

MOLDED PLASTIC 360 DEGREE ANTENNA SUPPORT

by Bill Phelps

  The problem to be solved by this design is the lack of full support in all directions, and the lack of dimensional stability for a copper clad steel wire loop antenna in an R.E product. Without support, the antenna is susceptible to damage during shipping, being forced out of it's optimal location, and being bent out of shape.

  The package design consists of a printed circuit board mounted in an enclosure, and a wire loop antenna attached to the printed circuit board by the means of two feed points. The design is dependent on the antenna being parallel to the printed circuit board, and being maintained at a set distance from the board in order to provide proper performance. This requirement called for the support ofthe antenna

in a way such that the wire would not be allowed to move up, down, or side to side. It also needed to be protected during shipping so that the solder joints would not be damaged.

  The solution for this set of design constraints is an antenna stand off which is molded flat, with one half of a snap molded to each end. During assembly, the stand off is wrapped around the antenna, and snapped into a hole in the printed circuit board. This design gives the required support for the antenna for the full 360 degrees, while maintaining the par- allel distance from the printed circuit board. It gives the antenna the protection it requires during ship- ping. It also...