Electronic device and antenna assembly

Abstract

The present application provides an electronic device and an antenna assembly, the electronic device comprising: a body and an antenna assembly; the body has a waterproof area and a peripheral area, the peripheral area is located around the waterproof area; the antenna assembly is located in the peripheral area, and the antenna assembly comprises: a hollow shell, a circuit board, an antenna, a first sealing member and a second sealing member; the hollow shell has a receiving groove and two openings, the two openings are communicated with opposite sides of the receiving groove; the circuit board is located in the receiving groove; the antenna is located in the receiving groove and is electrically connected to the circuit board; the first sealing member has a threading hole; the first sealing member and the second sealing member respectively seal the two openings of the hollow shell. By using the electronic device and the antenna assembly of the present application, the opposite two openings of the hollow shell are respectively sealed by the first sealing member and the second sealing member, which prevents water or water vapor from entering the receiving groove of the hollow shell through the two openings, ensures the sealing performance of the hollow shell, and reduces the damage probability of the antenna and the circuit board in the hollow shell.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an electronic device and antenna assembly, particularly an electronic device and antenna assembly in which an antenna is housed in a hollow housing sealed by a sealing element. [Background Technology]

[0002] Most current electronic devices still use antennas based on fourth-generation mobile communication technology (4G). Because 4G antennas do not require a power supply, their waterproofing requirements are lower, and they are placed in areas around the device's casing where waterproofing is less effective, thus maintaining the efficiency of signal transmission and reception. With the development of communication technology, the latest generation of mobile communication technology has evolved from fourth-generation to fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5G). 5G features high data transmission rates, reduced latency, energy savings, low cost, increased system capacity, and massive device connectivity, making it an inevitable technology for future electronic devices.

[0003] However, 5G antennas require a power supply, thus necessitating both high waterproofing and excellent signal transmission and reception efficiency compared to 4G antennas. However, 5G antennas cannot be placed within the waterproof area surrounded by the metal components of electronic devices, otherwise the signal will be blocked. Therefore, the adoption of 5G antennas in electronic devices currently faces challenges. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] The present invention provides an electronic device and antenna assembly to solve the problems encountered by prior art electronic devices in using 5G antennas.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention discloses an electronic device comprising: a body and an antenna assembly; the body having a waterproof area and a peripheral area, the peripheral area being located around the waterproof area; the antenna assembly being located in the peripheral area, the antenna assembly comprising: a hollow housing, a circuit board, an antenna, a first seal and a second seal; the hollow housing having a receiving groove and two openings, the two openings communicating with opposite sides of the receiving groove; the circuit board being located in the receiving groove; the antenna being located in the receiving groove and electrically connected to the circuit board; the first seal having a through hole; the first seal and the second seal respectively sealing the two openings of the hollow housing.

[0006] Another embodiment of the present invention discloses an antenna assembly comprising: a hollow housing, a circuit board, an antenna, a first seal and a second seal; the hollow housing has a receiving groove and two openings, the two openings communicating with opposite sides of the receiving groove; the circuit board is located in the receiving groove; the antenna is located in the receiving groove and electrically connected to the circuit board; the first seal has a through hole, and the first seal and the second seal respectively close the two openings of the hollow housing.

[0007] According to the electronic device and antenna assembly disclosed in the above embodiments, the two openings of the hollow housing are respectively sealed by a first sealing member and a second sealing member, preventing water or moisture from entering the receiving groove of the hollow housing through the two openings, thereby ensuring the airtightness of the hollow housing. Therefore, even if the antenna assembly is located in the peripheral area around the waterproof area of ​​the body, it is still ensured that water or moisture does not easily enter the hollow housing, thereby reducing the probability of damage to the antenna and circuit board inside the hollow housing.

[0008] The above description of the content of this invention and the following description of the embodiments are used to demonstrate and explain the principles of this invention, and to provide a further explanation of the scope of the patent application of this invention. [Attached Image Description]

[0009] Figure 1 This is a top view schematic diagram of an electronic device disclosed according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Partial 3D schematic diagram.

[0011] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of its breakdown.

[0012] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view.

[0013] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of an electronic device disclosed according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of an electronic device disclosed according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of an electronic device disclosed according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the electronic device.

[0017] Figure 9 This is a partial perspective view of an electronic device disclosed according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A schematic diagram of its breakdown.

[0019] Figure 11 This is a top view schematic diagram of an electronic device disclosed according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 12 for Figure 11 Partial 3D schematic diagram.

[0021] Figure 13 for Figure 12 A schematic diagram of its breakdown.

[0022] Figure 14 This is a partial perspective view of an electronic device disclosed according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 15 for Figure 14 A schematic diagram of its breakdown.

Detailed Implementation Methods

[0024] Please see Figures 1 to 4 As shown, Figure 1 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electronic device disclosed according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 for Figure 1 Partial 3D schematic diagram, Figure 3 for Figure 2 A diagram showing the breakdown of the diagram. Figure 4 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view.

[0025] In this embodiment, the electronic device 1 is, for example, a ruggedized laptop or a gaming laptop. The electronic device 1 includes a housing 10 and an antenna assembly 20. In this embodiment or other embodiments, the electronic device 1 also includes an adhesive member 30.

[0026] The casing 10 is, for example, the housing of the main body of a laptop computer. The casing 10 has a waterproof area 11 and a peripheral area 12. The waterproof area 11 is formed, for example, by surrounding a metal plate. The peripheral area 12 is located around the waterproof area 11, and its outer surface is covered by a plastic shell. That is, the peripheral area 12 is outside the area formed by the metal plate, making its waterproof effect less than that of the waterproof area 11, and the signal shielding effect on electronic components within the peripheral area 12 less severe than that on electronic components within the waterproof area 11. Therefore, the waterproof area 11 is used to house electronic components requiring waterproofing or electromagnetic interference protection, such as the motherboard. The peripheral area 12 is used to house electronic components with low waterproofing requirements or those requiring wireless signal transmission and reception.

[0027] In this embodiment, the peripheral area 12 of the body 10 has an assembly groove 121, a bottom surface 122, and two opposing side surfaces 123. The bottom surface 122 and the two side surfaces 123 together form the assembly groove 121. The antenna assembly 20 is installed in the assembly groove 121, and the antenna assembly 20 is fixed to the bottom surface 122 by an adhesive 30, and the two side surfaces 123 clamp the antenna assembly 20.

[0028] In detail, the antenna assembly 20 includes a hollow housing 21, a circuit board 22, an antenna 23, a first seal 24, and a second seal 25.

[0029] The hollow housing 21 is, for example, made of a transparent material. The hollow housing 21 has a receiving groove 211, two openings 212, and a slot 213. The two openings 212 and the slot 213 are respectively connected to opposite sides of the receiving groove 211, and the two openings 212 are opposite to each other. The circuit board 22 and the antenna 23 are located in the receiving groove 211, and the slot 213 exposes the antenna 23. The antenna 23 is electrically connected to the circuit board 22. The first seal 24 and the second seal 25 are, for example, made of rubber. The first seal 24 and the second seal 25 respectively close the two openings 212.

[0030] The adhesive 30 is, for example, double-sided adhesive. The hollow housing 21 is fixed to the bottom surface 122 of the body 10 by the adhesive 30, and the adhesive 30 surrounds, for example, the edge of the slot 213 of the hollow housing 21. The two sides 123 of the body 10 respectively press against the first seal 24 and the second seal 25 to prevent the first seal 24 and the second seal 25 from separating from the hollow housing 21. In this embodiment, the body 10 also has a heat-conducting bump 124. The heat-conducting bump 124 is formed, for example, by mold production or by computer numerical control (CNC) machining. The heat-conducting bump 124 is located in the slot 213 of the hollow housing 21 and is thermally coupled to the antenna 23. The heat-conducting bump 124 conducts the heat generated by the antenna 23 to the body 10, and the body 10 exchanges heat with the outside environment. In addition, by using the heat-conducting bump 124 located in the slot 213 of the hollow shell 21, the antenna assembly 20 is positioned in the peripheral area 12 of the body 10.

[0031] In this embodiment, the circuit board 22 has a power connector 221, and the first seal 24 has a through hole 241. The through hole 241 is for a power line to pass through, and the power connector 221 is for connecting the power line.

[0032] In this embodiment, the two openings 212 of the hollow housing 21 are respectively sealed by the first sealing member 24 and the second sealing member 25, preventing water or moisture from entering the receiving groove 211 of the hollow housing 21 through the two openings 212, thereby ensuring the airtightness of the hollow housing 21. Therefore, even if the antenna assembly 20 is located in the peripheral area 12 around the waterproof area 11 of the body 10, it is still ensured that water or moisture is not easily allowed to enter the hollow housing 21, thereby reducing the probability of damage to the antenna 23 and circuit board 22 inside the hollow housing 21.

[0033] Furthermore, by having the adhesive 30 surround the edge of the slot 213 of the hollow housing 21, water or moisture can be prevented from entering the receiving groove 211 of the hollow housing 21 through the slot 213, thereby further ensuring the airtightness of the hollow housing 21.

[0034] On the other hand, in this embodiment, by making the hollow shell 21 a transparent material, the components inside the hollow shell 21 (such as circuit boards and antennas) can be observed with the naked eye to determine whether the assembly of these components is correct. However, the hollow shell 21 is not limited to a transparent material. In other embodiments, the hollow shell may be made of a non-transparent material.

[0035] The following describes electronic devices of other embodiments of this invention, all of which are similar to Figure 1 The electronic device in the following embodiments will focus on the electronic device in that embodiment and Figure 1 The differences between the electronic devices will not be elaborated upon, but the similar or identical parts will not be discussed further.

[0036] Next, please refer to Figure 5 As shown, Figure 5 This is an exploded view of an electronic device disclosed according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] In this embodiment, the peripheral region 12a of the body 10a of the electronic device 1a does not have heat-conducting bumps, and the electronic device 1a further includes a heat-conducting component 40a. The heat-conducting component 40a is disposed on the bottom surface 122a of the assembly slot 121a of the body 10a. One side of the heat-conducting component 40a is coupled to the antenna 23a of the antenna assembly 20a, and the other side of the heat-conducting component 40a is thermally coupled to the body 10a.

[0038] Next, please refer to Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 This is an exploded view of an electronic device disclosed according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] In this embodiment, the peripheral area 12b of the body 10b of the electronic device 1b has two positioning posts 125b, which are located on the bottom surface 122b of the assembly slot 121b. The hollow shell 21b of the antenna assembly 20b also has two positioning holes 214b, which are located on the same side of the hollow shell 21b as the slot 213b. The two positioning posts 125b are respectively inserted into the two positioning holes 214b, thereby achieving the effect of positioning the hollow shell 21b.

[0040] In this embodiment, there are two positioning posts 125b and two positioning holes 214b, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the number of positioning posts and positioning holes can be increased or decreased as needed. Alternatively, there may be no positioning posts in the peripheral area of ​​the body, and the hollow shell of the antenna assembly may not have positioning holes; the hollow shell provides... Figure 3 The heat-conducting bumps 124 shown are positioned in the peripheral area of ​​the body.

[0041] Next, please refer to Figure 7and Figure 8 As shown, Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the electronic device disclosed in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 for Figure 7 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the electronic device.

[0042] In this embodiment, the electronic device 1c has no adhesive components. The electronic device 1c also includes a third sealing element 50c, and the antenna assembly 20c is fixed to the body 10c by a snap-fit ​​mechanism. Specifically, the peripheral area 12c of the body 10c also has a two-snap structure 126c located on opposite sides of the assembly slot 121c. The hollow housing 21c of the antenna assembly 20c is fixed to the assembly slot 121c of the body 10c by the two-snap structure 126c. The third sealing element 50c is, for example, made of rubber. The third sealing element 50c is sandwiched between the hollow housing 21c and the bottom surface 122c of the assembly slot 121c, and surrounds the slot 213c of the hollow housing 21c, thus preventing water or moisture from entering the hollow housing 21c from the slot 213c, thereby ensuring the airtightness of the hollow housing 21c.

[0043] In this embodiment, the number of snap-fit ​​structures 126c is not limited to two. In other embodiments, the number of snap-fit ​​structures is only one.

[0044] Next, please refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, Figure 9 This is a partial perspective view of the electronic device disclosed in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 for Figure 9 A schematic diagram of its breakdown.

[0045] In the electronic device 1d of this embodiment, the bottom surface 122d of the assembly slot 121d of the body 10d is an inclined surface. Therefore, after the antenna assembly 20d is installed in the assembly slot 121d, the signal transmission and reception angle of the antenna 23d is compared to... Figure 1 The signal transmission and reception angles of antenna 23 are different to meet different usage requirements.

[0046] The housing in the above embodiments is not limited to the casing of the main body of a laptop computer. In other embodiments, the housing may be the casing of the screen portion of a laptop computer.

[0047] Next, please refer to Figures 11 to 13 As shown, Figure 11 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electronic device disclosed according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 for Figure 11 Partial 3D schematic diagram, Figure 13 for Figure 12 A schematic diagram of its breakdown.

[0048] In the electronic device 1e of this embodiment, the body 10e is, for example, the casing of the screen portion of a laptop computer. The waterproof area 11e is formed, for example, by surrounding a metal plate. The peripheral area 12e is located around the waterproof area 11e, and the outer side of the peripheral area 12e is covered by a plastic shell. That is, the peripheral area 12e is located outside the area formed by surrounding the metal plate, so the waterproof effect of the peripheral area 12e is lower than that of the waterproof area 11e, and the signal shielding effect on the electronic components within the peripheral area 12e is weaker than that on the electronic components within the waterproof area 11e. Therefore, the waterproof area 11e is used to house electronic components that require waterproofing or electromagnetic interference protection, such as panels. The peripheral area 12e is used to house electronic components with low waterproofing requirements or those requiring wireless signal transmission and reception.

[0049] The electronic device 1e of this embodiment further includes an assembly frame 60e, an adhesive component 70e, and a heat-conducting component 80e. The assembly frame 60e includes an additional circuit board 61e, two vertical plates 62e, and two assembly plates 63e. The two opposite sides of the additional circuit board 61e are connected to the two assembly plates 63e via the two vertical plates 62e, and the additional circuit board 61e and the two vertical plates 62e together form a recess 64e. Furthermore, the additional circuit board 61e of the assembly frame 60e has two positioning posts 611e, which are located within the recess 64e.

[0050] The hollow housing 21e of the antenna assembly 20e has two positioning holes 214e, which, along with the slot 213e, are located on the same side of the hollow housing 21e. The adhesive 70e is, for example, double-sided adhesive. The hollow housing 21e of the antenna assembly 20e is mounted in the groove 64e and fixed to the additional circuit board 61e by the adhesive 30e. Two positioning posts 611e are respectively inserted into the two positioning holes 214e, thereby achieving the effect of positioning the hollow housing 21e. The antenna assembly 20e is clamped by two vertical plates 62e to prevent the first sealing member 24e and the second sealing member 25e, mounted on opposite sides of the hollow housing 21e, from separating from the hollow housing 21e. A heat-conducting component 80e is disposed on an additional circuit board 61e and located in a slot 213e of the hollow housing 21e. One side of the heat-conducting component 80e is thermally coupled to the antenna 23e, and the other side of the heat-conducting component 80e is thermally coupled to the body 10e. The two assembly plates 63e of the assembly frame 60e are fixed to the body 10e, for example, by screws.

[0051] In this embodiment, there are two positioning posts 611e and two positioning holes 214e, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the number of positioning posts and positioning holes may be increased or decreased as needed.

[0052] On the other hand, the number of vertical plates 62e and assembly plates 63e is not intended to limit the invention. In other embodiments, the assembly frame consists of only one vertical plate and one assembly plate connected to one side of the additional circuit board. In this configuration, one side of the antenna assembly abuts against the vertical plate, while the other side abuts against the retaining wall of the body.

[0053] Furthermore, the adhesive 70e in this embodiment is optional. In other embodiments, the adhesive is replaced by a seal (such as...). Figure 7 The third seal 50c is shown. In this configuration, the assembly frame is secured by a snap-fit ​​structure (such as...). Figure 7 The snap-fit ​​structure shown secures the antenna assembly to the assembly frame and clamps the third seal between the hollow housing and the additional circuit board to ensure the airtightness of the hollow housing.

[0054] Next, please refer to Figure 14 and Figure 15 As shown, Figure 14 This is a partial perspective view of the electronic device disclosed in the seventh embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 for Figure 14 A schematic diagram of its breakdown.

[0055] In the electronic device 1f of this embodiment, the additional circuit board 61f of the assembly frame 60f is not parallel to the second assembly board 63f. Therefore, after the assembly frame 60f is installed in the peripheral area 12f of the body 10f, the signal transmission and reception angle of the antenna 23f of the antenna assembly 20f is relatively... Figure 10 The antenna 23e has different signal transmission and reception angles to meet different usage requirements.

[0056] The above Figure 11 and Figure 14 The housing is not limited to the screen portion of a laptop computer. In other embodiments, the housing may be the main body portion of the laptop computer.

[0057] According to the electronic device and antenna assembly disclosed in the above embodiments, the two openings of the hollow housing are respectively sealed by a first sealing member and a second sealing member, preventing water or moisture from entering the receiving groove of the hollow housing through the two openings, thereby ensuring the airtightness of the hollow housing. Therefore, even if the antenna assembly is located in the peripheral area around the waterproof area of ​​the body, it is still ensured that water or moisture does not easily enter the hollow housing, thereby reducing the probability of damage to the antenna and circuit board inside the hollow housing.

[0058] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to the preferred embodiments described above, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of patent protection of the present invention shall be determined by the claims defined in the appended patent application.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized by comprising: include: A body having a waterproof area and a peripheral area, the peripheral area being located around the waterproof area; An antenna assembly, located in the surrounding area, includes: A hollow shell has a receiving groove and two openings, the two openings being connected to opposite sides of the receiving groove; The hollow shell has a slot; the slot is located between the two openings; A circuit board is located in the receiving slot; An antenna is located in the receiving slot and electrically connected to the circuit board; A first seal and a second seal, the first seal having a through hole, and the first seal and the second seal respectively sealing the two openings of the hollow shell. 2.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, The body has a thermally conductive bump located in the slot and thermally coupled to the antenna. 3.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, The electronic device also includes a heat conductor located in the slot, one side of which is thermally coupled to the antenna and the other side of which is thermally coupled to the body. 4.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, The hollow shell has at least one positioning hole, and the body has at least one positioning post, which is inserted into the at least one positioning hole.

5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The hollow shell is made of transparent material.

6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit board has a power connector that is electrically connected to the antenna.

7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic device also includes an adhesive element through which the antenna assembly is attached to the body.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The body has an assembly slot in which the antenna assembly is installed and held between two opposite sides of the assembly slot.

9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic device also includes a third seal sandwiched between the hollow housing and the body.

10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, The body has a snap-fit ​​structure that is secured to the hollow shell.

11. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic device also includes an assembly frame, which includes an attached additional circuit board and at least one assembly board connected to it. The antenna assembly is stacked on the additional circuit board and assembled to the body via the at least one assembly board.

12. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that, The number of the at least one assembly board is two, and the assembly frame also includes two vertical plates. The two opposite sides of the additional circuit board are connected to the two assembly boards through the two vertical plates. The additional circuit board and the two vertical plates together form a groove. The antenna assembly is installed in the groove and is held by the two vertical plates.

13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that, The additional circuit board is not parallel to the at least one assembly board.

14. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that, The hollow housing has at least one positioning hole, and the additional circuit board has at least one positioning post, which is inserted into the at least one positioning hole.

15. An antenna assembly, characterized in that, A peripheral region disposed around a waterproof area of ​​a body of an electronic device, the antenna assembly comprising: A hollow shell has a receiving groove and two openings, the two openings being connected to opposite sides of the receiving groove; The hollow shell has a slot; the slot is located between the two openings; A circuit board is located in the receiving slot; An antenna is located in the receiving slot and electrically connected to the circuit board; A first seal and a second seal, the first seal having a wire hole, and the first seal and the second seal respectively sealing the two openings of the hollow shell; The electronic device has a thermally conductive bump located in the slot and thermally coupled to the antenna; or, the electronic device includes a thermally conductive element located in the slot, with one side of the thermally conductive element thermally coupled to the antenna and the other side of the thermally conductive element thermally coupled to the body.

16. The antenna assembly as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that, The hollow housing has at least one positioning hole, the slot is separated from the at least one positioning hole, and the slot exposes the antenna.

17. The antenna assembly as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that, The hollow shell is made of transparent material.

18. The antenna assembly as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that, The circuit board has a power connector that is electrically connected to the antenna.

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