Antenna device and display device including the same

Abstract

The antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a dielectric layer including a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, wherein the second portion is bent so that the third portion is arranged below the first portion; a first antenna pattern arranged on the first portion of the dielectric layer; a second antenna pattern arranged on the third portion of the dielectric layer; and a signal pad connected to the first antenna pattern and the second antenna pattern at the same time. By utilizing the bent structure of the dielectric layer, bidirectional radiation can be achieved.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications and claim of priority

[0002] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0026780 filed on March 3, 2020 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an antenna device and a display device including the antenna device. More particularly, the present invention relates to an antenna device including a dielectric layer and an antenna pattern and a display device including the antenna device. Background Art

[0004] With the development of information technology, wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. are combined with display devices in the form of, for example, smart phones. In this case, an antenna may be combined with the display device to provide a communication function.

[0005] As mobile communication technology has been rapidly developed, an antenna capable of high frequency or ultra-high frequency communication is required in a display device. In addition, as a display device equipped with an antenna becomes thinner and lighter, the space for the antenna may also be reduced. Therefore, it may not be easy to achieve high frequency and broadband signal transmission / reception in a limited space.

[0006] For example, when the communication band of the antenna is extended to 3G, 4G, 5G or higher frequency bands, the radiation coverage may be reduced and the signal loss may increase. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a high frequency or ultra-high frequency antenna with sufficient coverage and gain characteristics that can be applied to a thin display device.

[0007] For example, Korean Published Patent Application No. 2016-0059291 discloses an antenna integrated into a display panel, which may not provide sufficient radiation reliability for high-frequency band communications in a limited space. Summary of the invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, an antenna device having improved signal efficiency and radiation characteristics is provided.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device including an antenna device having improved signal efficiency and radiation characteristics.

[0010] (1) An antenna device comprising: a dielectric layer comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the second portion is bent so that the third portion is disposed below the first portion; a first antenna pattern disposed on the first portion of the dielectric layer; a second antenna pattern disposed on the third portion of the dielectric layer; and a signal pad connected to both the first antenna pattern and the second antenna pattern.

[0011] (2) An antenna device according to (1) above, wherein the first antenna pattern includes a first radiation pattern and a first transmission line extending from the first radiation pattern and connected to the signal pad, and the second antenna pattern includes a second radiation pattern and a second transmission line extending from the second radiation pattern and connected to the signal pad.

[0012] (3) The antenna device according to (2) above, wherein the signal pad is provided on the third portion of the dielectric layer.

[0013] (4) The antenna device according to (3) above, wherein the first radiation pattern is provided on the first portion of the dielectric layer, and the first transmission line extends along the second portion of the dielectric layer to be connected to the signal pad.

[0014] (5) The antenna device according to (3) above, wherein the second transmission line is provided on the third portion of the dielectric layer together with the second radiation pattern and the signal pad.

[0015] (6) The antenna device according to (1) above, further comprising a third antenna pattern provided on the second portion of the dielectric layer.

[0016] (7) The antenna device according to (6) above, wherein the second antenna includes a plurality of second antenna patterns, and the second antenna pattern is independently coupled to the first antenna pattern and the third antenna pattern via the signal pad.

[0017] (8) The antenna device according to (7) above, wherein the third antenna pattern includes a third radiation pattern and a third transmission line extending from the third radiation pattern and connected to the signal pad.

[0018] (9) The antenna device according to (8) above, wherein an area of ​​the second radiation pattern coupled to the third antenna pattern is different from an area of ​​the second radiation pattern coupled to the first antenna pattern.

[0019] (10) The antenna device according to (6) above, wherein the first antenna pattern and the second antenna pattern function as vertical radiation antennas, and the third antenna pattern functions as a horizontal radiation antenna.

[0020] (11) The antenna device according to the above (1), further comprising a ground pad provided around the signal pad on the second portion of the dielectric layer.

[0021] (12) The antenna device according to (1) above, wherein the first antenna pattern and the second antenna pattern have a mesh structure.

[0022] (13) The antenna device according to (12) above, further comprising a dummy mesh pattern provided around the first antenna pattern and the second antenna pattern.

[0023] (14) A display device comprising: a display panel; and the antenna device according to the embodiment described above, wherein the first portion of the dielectric layer is arranged on the display panel, the second portion of the dielectric layer is arranged on the side of the display panel, and the third portion of the dielectric layer is arranged below the display panel.

[0024] (15) The display device according to (14) above, further comprising a frame structure provided between the display panel and the third portion of the dielectric layer.

[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an antenna device may include a first antenna pattern disposed on the front of a dielectric layer and a second antenna pattern disposed on the rear of the dielectric layer. The second antenna pattern may be used as, for example, a rear radiating antenna to increase the radiation coverage of the antenna device.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the first antenna pattern and the second antenna pattern may share the same pad portion. Therefore, the first antenna pattern and the second antenna pattern may be controlled together by a single feeding circuit.

[0027] In some embodiments, the antenna device may further include a third antenna pattern disposed on a side of the dielectric layer, and substantially horizontal radiation may be achieved from the antenna device.

[0028] The antenna device may be applied to a display device including a mobile communication device for 3G, 4G, 5G or higher high frequency or ultra-high frequency bands, thereby improving optical characteristics such as transmittance and radiation characteristics. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 and Figure 2 2 are a schematic top plan view and a schematic cross-sectional view, respectively, showing an antenna device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0030] Figure 3 and Figure 42 are a schematic top plan view and a schematic cross-sectional view, respectively, showing an antenna device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0031] Figure 5 is a schematic top plan view illustrating an antenna device according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0032] Figure 6 and Figure 7 1 and 2 are respectively a schematic top plan view and a schematic cross-sectional view showing a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an antenna device including an antenna pattern disposed on a front portion and a rear portion of a dielectric layer and having an increased radiation coverage.

[0034] The antenna device may be, for example, a microstrip patch antenna manufactured in the form of a transparent film. The antenna device may be applied to a communication device for mobile communication in a high or ultra-high frequency band corresponding to, for example, 3G, 4G, 5G or higher mobile communication.

[0035] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a display device including an antenna device is also provided. Application of the antenna device is not limited to the display device, and the antenna device can be applied to various objects or structures such as vehicles, home appliances, buildings, etc.

[0036] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are provided to further understand the spirit of the present invention and are not intended to limit the subject matter disclosed in the specific description and the appended claims.

[0037] Figure 1 and Figure 2 1 and 2 are schematic top plan views and schematic cross-sectional views respectively showing an antenna device according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, Figure 1 The antenna device is shown in a planar state before being bent. Figure 2 is shown in a bent state and along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the antenna device taken along line II' is shown.

[0038] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2In the embodiment, two directions parallel to the top surface of the dielectric layer 100 and intersecting each other are defined as a first direction and a second direction. For example, the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other. A direction perpendicular to the top surface of the dielectric layer 100 is defined as a third direction. For example, the first direction may correspond to a width direction of the antenna device, the second direction may correspond to a length direction of the antenna device, and the third direction may correspond to a thickness direction of the antenna device. The definition of directions may also be applied to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the antenna device according to the exemplary embodiment may include a dielectric layer 100 and an antenna pattern disposed on a surface of the dielectric layer 100 .

[0040] The dielectric layer 100 may include a first portion 102, a second portion 104, and a third portion 106. For example, the first portion 102, the second portion 104, and the third portion 106 may correspond to a front portion, a side portion, and a back portion of the dielectric layer 100, respectively.

[0041] For example, the third portion 106 may be bent via the second portion 104 to be disposed below the first portion 102. Therefore, the first portion 102 and the third portion 106 may face each other in the third direction. A surface of the second portion 104 may have a curved profile.

[0042] When the antenna device is included in a display device, the first portion 102 may be disposed toward a viewing surface or a window surface of the display device. The second portion 104 may be disposed on a side portion (e.g., a curved portion) of the display device. The third portion 106 may be disposed toward a rear surface of the display device.

[0043] The dielectric layer 90 may include, for example, a transparent flexible resin material that can be bent. For example, the dielectric layer 90 may include: polyester-based resins, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene isophthalate, polyethylene naphthalate and polybutylene terephthalate; cellulose-based resins, such as diacetyl cellulose and triacetyl cellulose; polycarbonate-based resins; acrylic resins, such as polymethyl (meth)acrylate and polyethyl (meth)acrylate; styrene-based resins, such as polystyrene and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers; polyolefin-based resins, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, cycloolefin or polyolefin having a norbornene structure and ethylene-propylene copolymers; vinyl chloride-based resins; amide-based resins, such as nylon and aromatic polyamide; imide-based resins; polyether sulfone-based resins; sulfone-based resins; polyether ether ketone-based resins; polyphenylene sulfide resins; vinyl alcohol-based resins; vinylidene chloride-based resins; vinyl butyral-based resins; allyl salt-based resins; polyoxymethylene-based resins; epoxy-based resins; urethane or acrylic urethane-based resins; silicone resins, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof.

[0044] In some embodiments, an adhesive film such as a solid transparent optical adhesive (OCA), an optically transparent resin (OCR), etc. may be included in the dielectric layer 90 .

[0045] In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 90 may include an inorganic insulating material such as glass, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, or the like.

[0046] Capacitance or inductance for antenna driving or impedance matching may be formed by the dielectric layer 100, so that the frequency band in which the antenna device can be driven or operated can be adjusted. In some embodiments, the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer 100 may be adjusted in the range of about 1.5 to about 12. When the dielectric constant exceeds about 12, the driving frequency may be excessively reduced, so that the desired high frequency band driving may not be achieved.

[0047] The antenna pattern may include a first antenna pattern 110 and a second antenna pattern 120. The first antenna pattern 110 may include a first radiation pattern 112 and a first transmission line 114. The first radiation pattern 112 and the first transmission line 114 may be formed as a single member integrally connected to each other. The second antenna pattern 120 may include a second radiation pattern 122 and a second transmission line 124. The second radiation pattern 122 and the second transmission line 124 may be formed as a single member integrally connected to each other.

[0048] The radiation patterns 112 and 122 may have a shape of, for example, a polygonal plate, and the transmission lines 114 and 124 may have a line shape extending from one side of each of the radiation patterns 112 and 122 .

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, the pad portion 130 may be simultaneously connected to the first antenna pattern 110 and the second antenna pattern 120. The pad portion 130 may include a signal pad 132 and a ground pad 134.

[0050] For example, one end of the signal pad 132 may be connected to the first transmission line 114 , and the other end of the signal pad 132 may be connected to the second transmission line 124 .

[0051] Ground pads 134 may be adjacent to signal pads 132 in the first direction and may be electrically and physically separated from signal pads 132 and transmission lines 114 and 124. For example, a pair of ground pads 134 may face each other in the first direction with signal pad 132 interposed therebetween.

[0052] As described above, the signal pad 132 may be used as a common signal pad or a common feed pad for the first antenna pattern 110 and the second antenna pattern 120. The ground pad 134 may also be used as a common ground pad for the first antenna pattern 110 and the second antenna pattern 120.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, the first radiation pattern 112 may be disposed on the first portion 102 of the dielectric layer 100 , and the second radiation pattern 122 may be disposed on the third portion 106 of the dielectric layer 100 .

[0054] Therefore, the second radiation pattern 122 of the second antenna pattern 120 may be disposed below the first radiation pattern 112. In one embodiment, the second radiation pattern 122 and the first radiation pattern 112 may at least partially overlap each other in the third direction.

[0055] The first transmission line 114 of the first antenna pattern 110 may be disposed on the second portion 104 (e.g., the curved side) of the dielectric layer 100. For example, the first transmission line 114 may be bent together while the dielectric layer 100 is bent. In some embodiments, a portion of the first radiation pattern 112 may also be bent and disposed on the second portion 104.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, the pad portion 130 may be disposed on the third portion 106 of the dielectric layer 100. Therefore, the pad portion 130 may be disposed away from, for example, a viewing surface or a front portion, and thus may not be visually observed by a user.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the first antenna pattern 110 and the second antenna pattern 120 may include silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), molybdenum (Mo), calcium (Ca), or an alloy including at least one of these metals. These may be used alone or in combination.

[0058] For example, the first antenna pattern 110 and the second antenna pattern 120 may include silver (Ag) or a silver alloy (eg, silver-palladium-copper (APC)), or copper (Cu) or a copper alloy (eg, copper-calcium (CuCa)) to achieve low resistance and a fine line width pattern.

[0059] The first antenna pattern 110 and the second antenna pattern 120 may include a transparent conductive oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), gallium-doped zinc oxide (GZO), zinc tin oxide (ZTO), indium gallium oxide (IGO), tin oxide (SnO 2 ), copper oxide (CuOx), etc.

[0060] The first antenna pattern 110 and the second antenna pattern 120 may include a stacked structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer and a metal layer. For example, the first antenna pattern 110 and the second antenna pattern 120 may include a double-layer structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer-metal layer or a triple-layer structure of a transparent conductive oxide layer-metal layer-transparent conductive oxide layer. In this case, the flexibility characteristics can be improved by the metal layer, and the signal transmission speed can also be improved by the low resistance of the metal layer. The transparent conductive oxide layer can improve corrosion resistance and transparency.

[0061] In some embodiments, the pad portion 130 may be formed of the above-mentioned metal or alloy layer to prevent signal loss and enhance power feeding. For example, the transparent conductive oxide layer may be excluded from the pad portion 130.

[0062] According to the above exemplary embodiment, the second antenna pattern 120 may be disposed on the rear portion below the first antenna pattern 110 by bending of the dielectric layer 100. Therefore, the first antenna pattern 110 may provide substantially vertical radiation on the first portion 102 of the dielectric layer 100, and the second antenna pattern 120 may provide substantially vertical radiation in a direction below the third portion 106 of the dielectric layer 100.

[0063] Therefore, bidirectional vertical radiation can be simultaneously achieved from one antenna device. In addition, the first antenna pattern 110 and the second antenna pattern 120 can share the pad portion 130 so that feeding efficiency can be improved by achieving bidirectional vertical radiation through one signal pad 132.

[0064] like Figure 1 As shown, a plurality of radiation units may be arranged in a first direction, each radiation unit including a first antenna pattern 110 and a second antenna pattern 120 coupled by a pad portion 130 .

[0065] Figure 3 and Figure 4 1 and 2 are schematic top plan views and schematic cross-sectional views respectively showing an antenna device according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, Figure 3 The antenna device is shown in a planar state before being bent. Figure 4 is shown in a bent state and along Figure 3A cross-sectional view of the antenna device taken along line II-II'.

[0066] Omissions and references Figure 1 and Figure 2 Detailed description of elements and structures described that are substantially the same or similar.

[0067] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The antenna device may further include a third antenna pattern 140 disposed on the second portion 104 (eg, the curved side) of the dielectric layer 100. The third antenna pattern 140 may include a third radiation pattern 142 and a third transmission line 144 extending from one side of the third radiation pattern 142.

[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, the third radiation pattern 142 and the third transmission line 144 may be disposed together on the second portion 104 of the dielectric layer 100. In some embodiments, the size of the third radiation pattern 142 may be relatively smaller than that of the first radiation pattern 112 to facilitate bending.

[0069] In some embodiments, a plurality of first antenna patterns 110 and third antenna patterns 140 may be arranged along the first direction. For example, first antenna patterns 110 and third antenna patterns 140 may be arranged alternately.

[0070] As described above, second antenna pattern 120 is disposed on third portion 106 of dielectric layer 100 and may be coupled to first antenna pattern 110 via pad portion 130. In an exemplary embodiment, some second antenna patterns 120 may be coupled to first antenna pattern 110, and some second antenna patterns 120 may be coupled to third antenna pattern 140.

[0071] In some embodiments, the second antenna pattern 120 may include second radiation patterns 122 having different sizes.

[0072] For example, an area of ​​the second radiation pattern 122 coupled to the first antenna pattern 110 may be smaller than an area of ​​the second radiation pattern 122 coupled to the third antenna pattern 140 .

[0073] In one embodiment, all second radiation patterns 122 may have the same area.

[0074] According to the above embodiment, the third radiation pattern 142 may be disposed on the side or curved portion of the dielectric layer 100 so that horizontal radiation may be substantially achieved in addition to bidirectional vertical radiation. Therefore, radiation in all directions may be achieved from the antenna device.

[0075] Furthermore, the lengths or areas of the radiation patterns 112, 122, and 142 may be different so that the resonance frequency and / or bandwidth of each radiation pattern may become different from each other. Thus, a multi-directional broadband antenna device may be substantially realized.

[0076] Figure 5 is a schematic top plan view illustrating an antenna device according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0077] refer to Figure 5 , the antenna patterns 110 and 120 may include a mesh structure to improve the transmittance of the antenna device. For example, after forming a conductive layer on the dielectric layer 100, the conductive layer may be etched along the boundary or outline of the antenna patterns 110 and 120 while forming the mesh structure to form a separation region 150. The antenna patterns 110 and 120 may be defined by the separation region 150. In addition, a dummy mesh pattern 155 spaced apart from the antenna patterns 110 and 120 may be defined by the separation region 150.

[0078] The dummy mesh patterns 155 may be distributed around the antenna patterns 110 and 120 having the mesh structure so that the antenna patterns 110 and 120 may be prevented from being visually recognized due to distribution deviation of the conductive patterns.

[0079] In some embodiments, the pad portion 130 may be formed as a solid metal pattern to reduce feeding resistance and prevent signal loss. In one embodiment, a dummy mesh pattern 155 may also be formed around the pad portion 130 .

[0080] Figure 6 and Figure 7 1 and 2 are respectively a schematic top plan view and a schematic cross-sectional view showing a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0081] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the display device 300 may include a display area 310 and a peripheral area 320. For example, the peripheral area 320 may be disposed at one and / or both ends of the display area 310. The peripheral area 320 may correspond to, for example, a light shielding portion or a frame portion of the image display device.

[0082] In an exemplary embodiment, the first radiation pattern 112 and the first portion 102 of the dielectric layer 100 of the antenna device may be disposed in the display region 310. The second portion 104 of the dielectric layer 100 may be disposed in the peripheral region 320. In some embodiments, the third antenna pattern 140 may be additionally disposed in the peripheral region 320.

[0083] The third portion 106 of the dielectric layer 100 of the antenna device may be bent and may be disposed below the display panel 200 and the frame structure 250, for example, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 shown.

[0084] The frame structure 250 may include a middle frame of the display device, a battery frame, a main board, and the like.

[0085] As described above, the pad portion 130 may also be bent and disposed under the display panel 200 and the frame structure 250. Therefore, the pad portion 130 may be easily connected to the antenna driving integrated circuit chip mounted on the frame structure 250 to perform feeding. In addition, the pad portion 130 may be located at the rear of the display device and thus may not be visually recognized by the user.

[0086] Various electrodes, wirings (e.g., pixel electrodes, scan lines, data lines, power lines, etc.) included in the display panel 200 and / or the frame structure 250 may be used as a ground layer for the radiation patterns 112, 122, and 142. Therefore, a desired radiation direction of each radiation pattern 112, 122, and 142 may be obtained without forming an additional ground layer.

Claims

1. An antenna device, include: a dielectric layer comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the second portion is bent such that the third portion is disposed below the first portion; a first antenna pattern disposed on the first portion of the dielectric layer; a second antenna pattern disposed on the third portion of the dielectric layer; a signal pad connected to both the first antenna pattern and the second antenna pattern; as well as a ground pad disposed around the signal pad to be adjacent to the signal pad in a first direction, wherein the first antenna pattern includes a first radiation pattern and a first transmission line extending from the first radiation pattern and connected to the signal pad, and the second antenna pattern includes a second radiation pattern and a second transmission line extending from the second radiation pattern and connected to the signal pad, wherein the first transmission line extends from one end of the signal pad to the first radiation pattern only along one direction of the second direction, and the second transmission line extends from the opposite end of the signal pad to the second radiation pattern only along the other direction of the second direction, The first direction is the width direction of the antenna device, and the second direction is the length direction of the antenna device. 2 . The antenna device according to claim 1 , wherein the signal pad is disposed on the third portion of the dielectric layer. 3 . The antenna device according to claim 2 , wherein the first radiation pattern is disposed on the first portion of the dielectric layer, and the first transmission line extends along the second portion of the dielectric layer to be connected to the signal pad. 4 . The antenna device according to claim 2 , wherein the second transmission line is disposed on the third portion of the dielectric layer together with the second radiation pattern and the signal pad. 5 . The antenna device according to claim 1 , further comprising a third antenna pattern disposed on the second portion of the dielectric layer.

6. The antenna device according to claim 5, wherein the second antenna comprises a plurality of second antenna patterns, and The second antenna pattern is independently coupled to the first antenna pattern and the third antenna pattern via the signal pad. 7 . The antenna device of claim 6 , wherein the third antenna pattern comprises a third radiation pattern and a third transmission line extending from the third radiation pattern and connected to the signal pad. 8 . The antenna device of claim 7 , wherein an area of ​​a second radiation pattern coupled to the third antenna pattern is different from an area of ​​a second radiation pattern coupled to the first antenna pattern. 9 . The antenna device according to claim 5 , wherein the first antenna pattern and the second antenna pattern function as vertical radiation antennas, and the third antenna pattern functions as a horizontal radiation antenna. 10 . The antenna device according to claim 1 , wherein the first antenna pattern and the second antenna pattern have a mesh structure. 11 . The antenna device according to claim 10 , further comprising a dummy mesh pattern provided around the first antenna pattern and the second antenna pattern.

12. A display device, include: Display panel; and The antenna device according to claim 1, The first portion of the dielectric layer is disposed on the display panel, the second portion of the dielectric layer is disposed on a side of the display panel, and the third portion of the dielectric layer is disposed below the display panel. 13 . The display device of claim 12 , further comprising a frame structure disposed between the display panel and the third portion of the dielectric layer.

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