Flex antenna structure and method for collar-mounted remote animal training system

摘要

A flex antenna for a collar-mounted receiver-stimulator of an animal training device includes a conductive mounting element for connecting and disconnecting the flex antenna to and from a mounting connector of the receiver-stimulator. A flex conductor is connected between the conductive mounting element and a conductive coil support. An insulative rod is attached to the conductive coil support and supports an antenna coil having one end electrically connected to the conductive coil support. An insulative waterproof sheath is disposed on the entire flex antenna except an exposed portion of the conductive connecting/disconnecting structure. The sheath includes a cylindrical portion around the antenna coil and the conductive coil support and a portion of the diameter which gradually decreases from the first diameter to a second diameter and then increases to a third diameter. The second diameter is at a midpoint of the flex conductor to confine flexing to the midpoint.