Antenna and foldable equipment

Abstract

The invention provides an antenna and a foldable device, the antenna is suitable for the foldable device, the foldable device comprises a first side and a second side which are rotatably connected, and the antenna comprises a radiator, a matching network and a radio frequency path; the matching network is located on the first side and comprises a switching unit, at least two first impedance units and a second impedance unit; wherein the radiating body comprises a feed end; the switching unit comprises an input end and at least two output ends, and each output end is connected with one first impedance unit; the switching unit is used for switching the antenna to a corresponding target frequency band; the second impedance unit is used for switching the output impedance of the matching network to a first target impedance matched with the current target frequency band when the first side and the second side of the foldable equipment are opened; and when the first side and the second side of the foldable equipment are closed, switching the output impedance of the matching network to second target impedance matched with the current target frequency band.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to an antenna and a foldable device. Background Art

[0002] The rise of foldable phones has indeed brought challenges and innovation needs in mobile phone antenna design. Since foldable phones have different shapes when unfolded and folded, the body blocks the antenna differently, so the antenna design needs to ensure good signal performance in both scenarios. Existing foldable devices mostly use the same antenna structure as candy-bar phones, which makes it difficult to give full play to the good performance of the antenna under different blocking conditions. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of this, the present application provides an antenna and a foldable device.

[0004] Specifically, the present application is implemented through the following technical solutions:

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides an antenna suitable for a foldable device, wherein the foldable device comprises a first side and a second side which are rotatably connected, and the antenna comprises a radiator, a matching network and a radio frequency path; the matching network is located on the first side, and the matching network comprises a switching unit, at least two first impedance units and a second impedance unit; wherein the radiator comprises a feeding end for sending and / or receiving wireless signals; the switching unit comprises an input end and at least two output ends, each output end being connected to a first impedance unit; the switching unit is used to switch the antenna to a corresponding target frequency band; each first impedance unit is connected in parallel between an output end of the switching unit and the feeding end, and One end of each first impedance unit connected to the feeding end is grounded, and the first impedance unit is used to make the output impedance of the matching network match the target frequency band when the branch is controlled to be turned on by the switching unit; the second impedance unit, one end of which is connected to the input end of the switching unit, and the other end is respectively connected to the RF path and an output end of the switching unit, and the second impedance unit is used to switch the output impedance of the matching network to a first target impedance matching the current target frequency band when the first side and the second side of the foldable device are opened; and to switch the output impedance of the matching network to a second target impedance matching the current target frequency band when the first side and the second side of the foldable device are closed.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present application, a foldable device is provided, and the foldable device includes the antenna provided in the first aspect of the present application.

[0007] Through the above scheme, the present application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0008] By responding to the impedance requirements for the same target frequency band when the foldable device is closed or opened in different states, the impedance value of the main line from the RF path to the radiator can be changed, providing a new form of impedance matching that can efficiently complete impedance matching when the electromagnetic environment of the current target frequency band is affected, and at the same time can realize the function of switching the working frequency band. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of an antenna circuit shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0010] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a circuit of an antenna and a tuning network shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0011] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a circuit of a tuning network shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0012] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of an internal circuit of a second impedance unit shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0013] Figure 5a It is a schematic diagram showing the composition of a second impedance unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0014] Figure 5b It is a schematic diagram showing the composition of another second impedance unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0015] Figure 6 It is a block diagram of a foldable device shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0016] Reference numerals:

[0017] Foldable device 1; antenna 10; first side 11; second side 12; tuning network 13;

[0018] Radiator 101; feeding end 1011;

[0019] Matching network 102; first impedance unit 1021; second impedance unit 1022; switching unit 1023;

[0020] RF path 103; input end 10231; output end 10232;

[0021] The third impedance unit 131; the tuning switching unit 132; the tuning radiator 14

[0022] A first impedance element 10221 ; a second impedance element 10222 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The implementations described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the present application. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the present application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0024] The terms used in this application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application. The singular forms of "a", "said" and "the" used in this application and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates other meanings. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0025] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used in the present application to describe various information, these information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the same type of information from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of the present application, the first information may also be referred to as the second information, and similarly, the second information may also be referred to as the first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "at the time of" or "when" or "in response to determining".

[0026] The following are specific embodiments of the present application.

[0027] As an innovation in the field of mobile devices, foldable phones have gone through a long process from concept to actual product. As foldable phone technology and design mature, users' acceptance of this new type of mobile phone has gradually increased. Foldable phones have gradually become the favorite of a wider range of consumer groups.

[0028] During the development of foldable phones, there have been continuous innovations and improvements in screen technology, body design and folding mechanism. Technologies such as screen foldable technology and folding mechanism stability have continued to develop, but the signal problem of foldable phones is still relatively blank.

[0029] When a foldable mobile phone is in use, when the antenna is located on one side, the metal structure on the other side will interfere with the operation of the antenna due to folding close to the antenna side. Even if a tuning port loading device is added on the other side, the effect is not obvious.

[0030] In this regard, refer to Figure 1The present application provides an antenna 10, which is applicable to a foldable device 1. The foldable device 1 includes a first side 11 and a second side 12 that are rotatably connected. The antenna 10 includes a radiator 101, a matching network 102, and a radio frequency path 103. The matching network 102 is located on the first side, and the matching network 102 includes a switching unit 1023, at least two first impedance units 1021, and a second impedance unit 1022.

[0031] in,

[0032] The radiator 101 includes a feeding terminal 1011 for sending and / or receiving wireless signals;

[0033] The switching unit 1023 includes an input terminal 10231 and at least two output terminals 10232, each of which is connected to a first impedance unit 1021; the switching unit 1023 is used to switch the antenna to a corresponding target frequency band;

[0034] Each first impedance unit 1021 is connected in parallel between an output terminal 10232 of the switching unit 1023 and the feeding terminal 1011, and one end of each first impedance unit 1021 connected to the feeding terminal 1011 is grounded. The first impedance unit 121 is used to make the output impedance of the matching network 102 match the target frequency band when the branch is controlled to be turned on by the switching unit 1023;

[0035] The second impedance unit 1022 has one end connected to the input end of the switching unit 1023, and the other end connected to the RF path 103 and an output end 10232 of the switching unit 1023 respectively. The second impedance unit 1022 is used to switch the output impedance of the matching network 102 to the first target impedance 1021 matching the current target frequency band when the first side 11 and the second side 12 of the foldable device 1 are opened; and to switch the output impedance of the matching network 102 to the second target impedance matching the current target frequency band when the first side 11 and the second side 12 of the foldable device 1 are closed.

[0036] In the above scheme, the RF path 103 refers to the signal channel when the antenna 10 and the foldable device 1 interact with each other. If the foldable device 1 transmits a signal, the foldable device 1 can transmit the signal to the inside of the antenna 10 through the RF path 103, and finally transmit the wireless signal through the radiator 101; if the foldable device 1 receives a signal, the radiator 101 senses the wireless signal, converts it into an electrical signal, and then transmits it to the foldable device 1 through the RF path 103.

[0037] In conventional solutions, the matching network 102 is only used to switch the working frequency band. The switching of the working frequency band is achieved through multiple parallel inductance elements in the matching network 102. The adjustment capability is limited and cannot be used to reduce interference. The effect on folding is also not considered.

[0038] Through the above scheme, a second impedance unit 1022 controlled by the output terminal 10232 is configured between the input terminal 10231 and the RF path 103, which can directly affect the impedance value of the trunk line from the RF path 103 to the radiator 101, so that the impedance of the matching network 102 can be greatly adjusted. Therefore, while achieving switching of the working frequency band, it can also better match the impedance of the target frequency band.

[0039] The second impedance unit 1022 with a different connection method provides a new way to match impedance. If expressed using a Smith chart, the matching network 102 in the present application consumes less power to match the target frequency band than conventional solutions, and it is easier to reach the target position in the Smith chart when adjusting the impedance.

[0040] In the Smith chart, it is shown that the matching path is shorter, the initial impedance position is closer to the target frequency band, etc. The present application aims to provide a new matching method, which provides the matching network 102 with stronger matching ability under interference such as folding, and the specific impedance type and impedance value can be determined according to the requirements.

[0041] Based on this scheme, Figure 2 The foldable device 1 may include a first side 11 and a second side 12 that are rotatably connected, and the second side 12 includes a tuning network 13.

[0042] Figure 2 In the embodiment, the antenna is a frame antenna, and the antenna radiators are all arranged on the frame of the foldable device 1, wherein the radiators 101 and 105 are symmetrically arranged along the rotation axis 107, and the radiators 104 and 106 are symmetrically designed along the rotation axis 107. Since any radiator is a conductor, when the foldable device is closed, that is, when the first sides 11 and 12 are attached, one of the radiators (taking radiator 105 as an example) is located within the spatial range of the other radiator (taking radiator 101 as an example), and the electromagnetic signal of the other radiator (taking radiator 101 as an example) is interfered.

[0043] The interference is reflected in the Smith chart, that is, the position of the impedance changes. After applying the solution of the present application, even if there is interference from other radiators or other metal materials, the second impedance unit 1022 in the matching network 102 is controlled by the switching unit 1023. When the foldable device is closed, the position of the matching network in the Smith chart is changed, and the impedance can still be matched to reduce radiation loss.

[0044] It is understandable that except Figure 2 In addition to the radiator 101 shown in the figure, the radiators 104-106 can be understood as a part of the antenna 10 or a part of other antennas, and the specific division depends on the actual application.

[0045] In order to Figure 2 The corresponding embodiment is easier to understand, omitting the composition of the matching network 102. Figure 2 The composition of the matching network 102 can be referred to Figure 1 .

[0046] It can be understood that the two sides of the foldable device 1 are relative concepts, such as one side is called the base side (base side), and the other side can be called the flip side (folding side). If the base side is called the first side 11, the flip side is the second side 12; if the flip side is the first side 11, the base side is the second side 12.

[0047] In the above embodiment, when the current frequency band of the antenna is switched to the target frequency band matched by the second impedance element, the tuning network 13 can adjust the phase of the coupling current on the flip side to match the phase of the target frequency band, which can adapt to different electromagnetic conditions in the unfolded and folded states and improve the impedance matching effect. The two sides complement each other, which can improve the impedance matching fit, reduce signal loss, and thereby increase the radiation capability of the antenna 10.

[0048] Based on the antenna 10 in any of the above embodiments, when the foldable device 1 is opened, the impedance of the target frequency band matched by the second impedance element is the output impedance of the matching network 102 .

[0049] That is, when the foldable device 1 is opened, it will not be affected by the other side. Therefore, regardless of whether the other side includes the tuning network 13, there is no need to use the tuning network 13 for impedance matching. The impedance of the target frequency band matched by the second impedance element can be the output impedance of the matching network 102.

[0050] When in the open state, the electromagnetic environment of the foldable device 1 is relatively close to that of the straight-bar device, so there is no need to use the tuning network 13 .

[0051] It is understandable that, in the present application, the closing of the foldable device 1 refers to the complete or partial closing of the first side 11 and the second side 12. The specific state depends on the structure of the hinge, etc., and all fall within the scope of protection of the present application, and the present application will not repeat them one by one.

[0052] based on Figure 2 or according to Figure 2 For extended implementation examples, please refer to Figure 3 The tuning network 13 may include at least two third impedance units 131 and a tuning switching unit 132, at least two third impedance units 131 are connected in parallel between the tuning switching unit 132 and the tuning radiator 14101, and the tuning switching unit 132 is used to control the on-off of the branch where the third impedance unit 131 is located according to an external second control signal.

[0053] In the present application, the first impedance unit 1021 , the second impedance unit 1022 , and the third impedance unit 131 are all composed of capacitive elements or inductive elements.

[0054] An inductor is a component that can store electrical energy, and its characteristic is that it has a large impedance to low-frequency signals. In the antenna 10 circuit, the inductor can be used to block the transmission of high-frequency signals, thereby affecting the operating frequency range of the antenna 10. A capacitor is a component that can store charge, and its characteristic is that it has a large impedance to high-frequency signals. In the antenna 10 circuit, the capacitor can be used to block the transmission of low-frequency signals, thereby affecting the operating frequency range of the antenna 10.

[0055] By designing the values ​​and layout of the inductor and capacitor, the frequency tuning, impedance matching, radiation pattern control, etc. of the antenna 10 can be achieved, thereby improving the performance and adaptability of the antenna 10. The specific values ​​and types should be appropriately adjusted according to the electromagnetic environment and requirements of the actual product and combined with the test results.

[0056] In one embodiment, when the third impedance unit 131 is an inductor element, the inductance value of the third impedance unit 131 is not greater than 1.5 nH.

[0057] In one embodiment, reference may be made to Figure 4 , an internal circuit of the second impedance unit 1022 is provided, and the second impedance unit 1022 may include a first impedance element 10221 and a second impedance element 10222; one end of the first impedance element 10221 is connected to the input end 10231, and the other end is connected to the radio frequency path 103; one end of the second impedance element 10222 is connected to the output end 10232, and the other end is connected to the radio frequency path 103. When the first side 11 and the second side 12 of the foldable device 1 are opened, the switching unit 1023 disconnects the branch where the second impedance element 10222 is located; when the first side 11 and the second side 12 of the foldable device 1 are closed, the switching unit 1023 connects the branch where the second impedance element 10222 is located.

[0058] Through the above solution, the switching module only needs to control the on-off of the branch where the second impedance element 10222 is located to change the connection relationship between the first impedance element 10221 and the second impedance element 10222 .

[0059] When the switching module controls the branch where the second impedance element 10222 is located to be disconnected, the second impedance element 10222 is separated from the matching network 102 and does not participate in the operation of the circuit. At this time, only the first impedance element 10221 is in the working state. When the switching module controls the branch where the second impedance element 10222 is located to be connected, the two ends of the first impedance element 10221 and the two ends of the second impedance element 10222 are connected respectively, which is equivalent to the first impedance element 10221 and the second impedance element 10222 forming a parallel connection, changing the impedance in the main line. Then, the impedance of the second target frequency band in at least two states can be matched.

[0060] When the foldable device 1 has multiple states, such as different folding angles, multiple impedance elements can be connected between the switching module and the RF path 103, so that the switching module can form multiple impedances to adapt to the electromagnetic environment in multiple states.

[0061] Furthermore, when the foldable device 1 has multiple target frequency bands that are interfered with and require new impedance matching in the closed state, multiple impedance elements can be connected between the switching unit 1023 and the RF path 103, and the switching unit 1023 can form multiple impedances to adapt to the electromagnetic environment in various states.

[0062] At the same time, you can also try to change the type and value of the impedance element to adapt it.

[0063] refer to Figure 5a and 5b The first impedance element 10221 and the second impedance element 10222 are both inductance elements or capacitance elements. The first impedance unit can be an inductance element or an inductance element, and the inductance element is taken as an example in the figure.

[0064] When the first impedance element 10221 and the second impedance element 10222 are of the same type, their impedance is relatively controllable, for example, the first impedance element 10221 is a capacitor and the second impedance element 10222 is also a capacitor, then changing the series-parallel relationship is equivalent to changing the value of the first impedance element 10221. If the types are different, it is difficult to grasp the rules during the actual debugging process, and it is easy to introduce other variables, resulting in a loose relationship between the first impedance element 10221 and the second impedance element 10222, resulting in failure of the impedance adjustment capability.

[0065] When the first impedance element 10221 and the second impedance element 10222 are both capacitive elements, the capacitance value of the second impedance element 10222 is within the range of 0.4-2 pF.

[0066] When the first side and the second side of the foldable device are closed, the switching unit and the tuning switching unit can work at the same time, wherein the switching unit 1023 of the first side 11 is used to increase the capacitance of the second impedance unit 1022 and reduce the matching network loss; the tuning switching unit 132 of the second side 12 is used to adjust the coupling current phase through the third impedance unit 131 to reduce the influence of the second side structure, thereby jointly improving the wireless signal receiving and sending capability of the foldable device in the closed state.

[0067] In the present application, the target frequency band corresponding to the second impedance unit 1022 can be any one of the medium frequency or high frequency bands, such as Band 41. Band 41 is a higher frequency in the wireless signal. The higher the frequency, the worse the penetration ability, and the frequency band in which it is located is more susceptible to the structure of the foldable device 1.

[0068] When the demand changes, the target frequency band corresponding to the second impedance unit 1022 can be any frequency band. Especially with the booming development of wireless communications today, when the communication means change, new communication frequency bands with higher frequencies may appear, and the scheme of this application can be applied to them without affecting the implementation of the scheme of this application.

[0069] In order to implement the contents of the above embodiments of the present application, the switching module may be one or more of a single-pole multi-throw switch, a multiplexer or a distributor.

[0070] Accordingly, reference Figure 6 The present application provides a foldable device 1, which may include the antenna 10 in any embodiment of the present application.

[0071] Furthermore, the foldable device 1 may be a foldable mobile phone, a laptop computer, a foldable tablet computer, a foldable smart wearable device, etc.

[0072] Embodiments of the subject matter and functional operations described in this specification can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, computer hardware including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or a combination of one or more of them.

[0073] In addition to the above solutions, other circuits can be integrated to enhance the capabilities of the antenna 10. For example, the antenna 10 of this solution can include a radiator 101 for radiating middle and high frequency signals (MHB) and 6 gigahertz (GHz) band signals (Sub-6G) and a GPS radiator for radiating GPS_L5 signals. The two radiators 101 can be connected by respective circuit feeds through metal springs.

[0074] The length of the radiator 101 meets 17-21 mm, and the length of the GPS radiator meets 5-7 mm. The Flip side (taking the second side 12 as an example) can have symmetry with the radiator 101 and the GPS radiator on the Base side (taking the first side as an example). The radiator 101 and the GPS radiator can be integrated into the same circuit board.

[0075] In the present application, the radiator 101 may be grounded or not. Whether the radiator 101 of the antenna 10 is grounded depends on factors such as design objectives, application requirements, frequency bands, and electrical performance. Grounding can reduce reflected waves, suppress stray radiation, and improve the efficiency of the antenna 10. It also affects the impedance matching, radiation pattern, and polarization of the antenna 10. Appropriate grounding selection can optimize the performance, stability, and function of the antenna 10 to meet specific communication, navigation, or other application requirements, which is not required by the present application.

[0076] Although this specification includes many specific implementation details, these should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of any invention or the scope of protection claimed, but are mainly used to describe the features of the specific embodiments of specific inventions. Certain features described in multiple embodiments in this specification may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the other hand, the various features described in a single embodiment may also be implemented separately in multiple embodiments or in any suitable sub-combination. In addition, although features may work in certain combinations as described above and even initially claim protection, one or more features from the claimed combination may be removed from the combination in some cases, and the claimed combination may point to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination.

[0077] Thus, specific embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve the desired results. In addition, the processes depicted in the drawings do not necessarily require the particular order or sequential order shown to achieve the desired results. In some implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

[0078] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. An antenna, characterized in that: Applicable to a foldable device, the foldable device comprises a first side and a second side connected in rotation, the antenna comprises a radiator, a matching network and a radio frequency path; the matching network is located on the first side, the matching network comprises a switching unit, at least two first impedance units and a second impedance unit; in, The radiator includes a feeding end for sending and / or receiving wireless signals; The switching unit comprises an input end and at least two output ends, each of the output ends is connected to one of the first impedance units; the switching unit is used to switch the antenna to a corresponding target frequency band; Each of the first impedance units is connected in parallel between one of the output ends of the switching unit and the feeding end, and one end of each of the first impedance units connected to the feeding end is grounded, and the first impedance unit is used to make the output impedance of the matching network match the target frequency band when the branch where the first impedance unit is located is controlled to be turned on by the switching unit; The second impedance unit has one end connected to the input end of the switching unit, and the other end connected to the RF path and an output end of the switching unit respectively. The second impedance unit is used to switch the output impedance of the matching network to a first target impedance matching the current target frequency band when the first side and the second side of the foldable device are opened; and to switch the output impedance of the matching network to a second target impedance matching the current target frequency band when the first side and the second side of the foldable device are closed.

2. The antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that The second impedance unit includes a first impedance element and a second impedance element; one end of the first impedance element is connected to the input end, and the other end is connected to the radio frequency path; one end of the second impedance element is connected to an output end of the switching unit, and the other end is connected to the radio frequency path; the switching unit is further used to disconnect the branch where the second impedance element is located when the first side and the second side of the foldable device are opened; When the first side and the second side of the foldable device are closed, the branch where the second impedance element is located is turned on.

3. The antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first impedance element and the second impedance element are both inductance elements or capacitance elements.

4. The antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that: When the first impedance element and the second impedance element are both capacitance elements, the capacitance value of the second impedance element is within the range of 0.4-2 pF.

5. The antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that The second side includes a tuning network, which includes at least two third impedance units and a tuning switching unit. The at least two third impedance units are connected in parallel between the tuning switching unit and the tuning radiator. The tuning switching unit is used to control the on and off of the branch where each third impedance unit is located according to a second control signal.

6. The antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that When the third impedance unit is an inductor element, the inductance value of the third impedance unit is not greater than 1.5 nH.

7. The antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The current target frequency band is a medium frequency or a high frequency band.

8. The antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The switching module is a single-pole multi-throw switch, a multiplexer or a distributor.

9. A foldable device, characterized in that: The foldable device comprises the antenna according to any one of claims 1-6.

10. The foldable device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The foldable device is a foldable mobile phone.

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