Electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses electronic equipment, and relates to the technical field of electronic equipment. The second body is rotationally connected with the first body through a rotating shaft assembly, and the rotating shaft assembly comprises a rotating shaft shell with a containing cavity; the antenna unit is arranged in the accommodating cavity and is used for transmitting and receiving wireless signals for a communication module of the electronic equipment; the modulation structure is arranged on the inner surface of the containing cavity and surrounds the peripheral side of the antenna unit, and the dielectric constant and / or magnetic conductivity of the modulation structure can be regulated and controlled so as to adjust the radiation field pattern of the antenna unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of electronic devices, and particularly to an electronic device with a wireless communication function. Background Art

[0002] With the development of science and technology, more and more electronic devices with wireless communication functions, such as mobile phones, tablet computers, smart watches, and smart glasses, are widely used in people's daily lives and work, bringing great convenience to people's daily lives and work, and becoming an indispensable important tool for people today.

[0003] The main component for an electronic device to achieve communication function is the antenna unit. However, currently, the radiation field pattern of the antenna unit in the electronic device is single, which affects the communication performance of the electronic device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an electronic device to adjust the radiation field pattern of the antenna unit. The specific solution is as follows:

[0005] An electronic device includes:

[0006] A first body;

[0007] A second body, which is rotatably connected to the first body through a rotating shaft assembly. The rotating shaft assembly includes a rotating shaft housing with an accommodating cavity;

[0008] An antenna unit disposed in the accommodating cavity, configured to receive and transmit wireless signals for the communication module of the electronic device;

[0009] A modulation structure disposed on the inner surface of the accommodating cavity, surrounding the periphery of the antenna unit. Among them, the permittivity and / or permeability of the modulation structure itself can be regulated to adjust the radiation field pattern of the antenna unit.

[0010] Optionally, in the above-mentioned electronic device, the modulation structure includes a flexible dielectric layer and a plurality of metamaterial units disposed on the flexible dielectric layer; the metamaterial units are connected to form a metamaterial array;

[0011] And / or,

[0012] The electronic device further includes a control module signal-connected to the modulation structure. The control module can apply a bias signal to the modulation structure to regulate the permittivity and / or permeability of the modulation structure.

[0013] Optionally, in the above-mentioned electronic device, the first body includes a display part composed of a first housing and a display screen, and / or, the second body includes a main body part composed of a second housing and an input device;

[0014] The rotating shaft housing is arranged at the first edge of the first housing, and the rotating shaft housing is a non-metallic arc-shaped housing extending towards the second body;

[0015] The accommodating cavity is also provided with a ground wire connected to the first housing and a signal wire for connecting to the control module; the ground wire is used to connect to the metal ground in the first housing; the signal wire is used to access the bias signal;

[0016] And / or,

[0017] Two end parts of the metamaterial unit of the modulation structure are respectively connected to the ground wire and the signal wire.

[0018] Optionally, in the above electronic device, one end of the metamaterial unit is connected to the signal wire through a first connector, and the other end is connected to the ground wire through a second connector;

[0019] Wherein, at least one of the first connector and the second connector is a target connector, and the target connector can pass through the bias signal and block the electromagnetic signal transmitted and received by the antenna unit.

[0020] Optionally, in the above electronic device, the target connector includes at least one of a folded line trace, a coil trace or an inductive element.

[0021] Optionally, in the above electronic device, the metamaterial unit includes:

[0022] A first metal patch, connected to the ground wire;

[0023] A second metal patch, connected to the signal wire;

[0024] A switching switch, connected between the first metal patch and the second metal patch; the bias signal is used to control the conduction state of the switching switch to adjust the permittivity and / or permeability of the metamaterial unit.

[0025] Optionally, in the above electronic device, when the metamaterial unit is flattened on the same plane:

[0026] The first metal patch and the second metal patch are arranged in central symmetry;

[0027] And / or, the first metal patch includes a first metal trace and a second metal trace connected vertically, and the second metal patch includes a third metal trace and a fourth metal trace connected vertically; the first metal trace and the third metal trace are parallel and opposite to each other, and the second metal trace and the fourth metal trace are parallel and opposite to each other; the switching switch is located inside the metal square formed by the first metal trace to the fourth metal trace; the metal square has openings at the opposite ends of the second metal trace and the third metal trace, and at the opposite ends of the first metal trace and the fourth metal trace.

[0028] Optionally, in the above-mentioned electronic device, among the multiple metamaterial units corresponding to the same antenna unit:

[0029] Each metamaterial unit is connected to the same ground wire, and each metamaterial unit is respectively connected to different signal wires;

[0030] Or, the distance between the metamaterial unit and the antenna unit is greater than one-eighth of the communication wavelength of the antenna unit and less than the communication wavelength;

[0031] Or, the distance between adjacent metamaterial units is greater than one-eighth of the communication wavelength of the antenna unit and less than the communication wavelength.

[0032] Optionally, in the above-mentioned electronic device, two antenna units are arranged in the accommodation cavity, and the two antenna units are the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit respectively; Multiple metamaterial units are respectively arranged corresponding to the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit;

[0033] Or; The metamaterial units corresponding to the first antenna unit are equally spaced along the length direction of the rotating shaft assembly at a first distance, and the first distance is related to the communication wavelength of the first antenna unit;

[0034] Or, the metamaterial units corresponding to the second antenna unit are equally spaced along the length direction of the rotating shaft assembly at a second distance, and the second distance is related to the communication wavelength of the second antenna unit;

[0035] Or, the metamaterial units in the first antenna unit are the first metamaterial units, the metamaterial units in the second antenna unit are the second metamaterial units, and there is a third distance between adjacent first metamaterial units and second metamaterial units, and the third distance is greater than the communication wavelength of the first antenna unit and greater than the communication wavelength of the second antenna unit.

[0036] Optionally, in the above-mentioned electronic device, the metamaterial unit has a conducting state and a non-conducting state, and the conducting state and the non-conducting state correspond to different electrical parameters;

[0037] There are N metamaterial units corresponding to the same antenna unit, where N is a positive integer; The antenna unit has 2 N radiation field patterns;

[0038] The control module is at least used to select a target radiation field pattern adapted to the current communication environment of the electronic device from 2 N pre-stored radiation field patterns.

[0039] With the above technical solution, in the electronic device provided by the present application, the rotating shaft assembly between the first body and the second body includes a rotating shaft housing having an accommodation cavity. The antenna unit can be arranged in the accommodation cavity, and the antenna unit does not need to occupy the internal space of the body, saving the layout space inside the body. Moreover, the modulation structure can be arranged on the inner surface of the accommodation cavity. By adjusting the permittivity and / or permeability of the modulation structure, the radiation field pattern of the antenna unit can be adjusted, so that the antenna unit has multiple radiation field patterns and can be applicable to a variety of different communication environments, improving the wireless communication performance of the electronic device. Description of the Drawings

[0040] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or related technologies, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only the embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained according to the provided drawings.

[0041] The structures, ratios, sizes, etc. shown in the drawings of this specification are only used to cooperate with the content disclosed in the specification for those who are familiar with this technology to understand and read, and are not used to limit the limiting conditions under which the present application can be implemented. Therefore, they do not have a substantial technical meaning. Any modification of the structure, change of the proportional relationship, or adjustment of the size, without affecting the effects that the present application can produce and the purposes that can be achieved, should still fall within the scope covered by the technical content disclosed in the present application.

[0042] Figure 1 It is a side view of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a sectional view of a partial area of the shown electronic device along the length direction of the rotating shaft assembly;

[0044] Figure 3 It is a top view of a modulation structure in an electronic device;

[0045] Figure 4 It is a control circuit diagram of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of an electronic device;

[0047] Figure 6 It is a sectional view of a partial area of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application along the length direction of the rotating shaft assembly;

[0048] Figure 7 It is a top view of the metamaterial unit 109 in an electronic device;

[0049] Figure 8 is the equivalent circuit diagram of each metamaterial unit in the same antenna;

[0050] Figure 9 is a top view of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application when in a flattened state;

[0051] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the principle that a conventional electronic device cannot integrate a programmable electromagnetic metamaterial surface into the interior of the electronic device;

[0052] Figure 11 is the phase response curve of the switching switch in different states in the metamaterial unit;

[0053] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the principle that the electronic device deflects the propagation direction of the electromagnetic signal through the metamaterial unit in the modulation structure.

[0054] Reference numerals:

[0055] 101 - First body; 102 - Second body; 103 - Rotating shaft assembly; 104 - Accommodating cavity; 105 - Rotating shaft housing; 106 - Antenna unit; 1061 - First antenna unit; 1062 - Second antenna unit; 107 - Modulation structure; 108 - Flexible dielectric layer; 109 - Metamaterial unit; 1091 - First metamaterial unit; 1092 - Second metamaterial unit; 110 - Control module; 111 - First housing; 112 - Display screen; 113 - Second housing; 114 - Input device; 115 - Ground wire; 116 - Signal wire; 117 - Second connector; 118 - First connector; 119 - First metal patch; 120 - Second metal patch; 121 - First metal trace; 122 - Second metal trace; 123 - Third metal trace; 124 - Fourth metal trace; 125 - Switching switch; 126 - Opening; 127 - Grounding metal layer. Detailed implementation manners

[0056] Next, the embodiments in the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art can know that with the development of technology and the emergence of new scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0057] To make the above objects, features, and advantages of the present application more obvious and understandable, the present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0058] Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 is a side view of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 isFigure 1 A cross-sectional view of a partial area of the electronic device along the length direction of the rotating shaft assembly. The electronic device includes:

[0059] A first body 101;

[0060] A second body 102, which is rotatably connected to the first body 101 through a rotating shaft assembly 103. The rotating shaft assembly 103 includes a rotating shaft housing 105 having a receiving cavity 104;

[0061] An antenna unit 106 disposed in the receiving cavity 104, and the antenna unit 106 is used to transmit and receive wireless signals for the communication module of the electronic device;

[0062] A modulation structure 107 disposed on the inner surface of the receiving cavity 104. The modulation structure 107 surrounds the periphery of the antenna unit 106. Among them, the dielectric constant and / or magnetic permeability of the modulation structure 107 itself can be regulated to adjust the radiation pattern of the antenna unit 106.

[0063] The antenna unit 106 can be disposed at the bottom of the receiving cavity 104, and the modulation structure 107 can be disposed on the inner surface of the top of the receiving cavity 104. The modulation structure 107 can surround the top area of the antenna unit 106.

[0064] Optionally, the communication module can be any one of a WLAN communication module, a satellite communication module, and a WWAN communication module.

[0065] In the embodiments of the present application, the receiving cavity 104 of the rotating shaft housing 105 can be used to layout the antenna unit 106. The antenna unit 106 does not need to occupy the internal space of the body of the electronic device, saving the layout space inside the body. Moreover, the inner surface of the receiving cavity 104 can also be used to layout the modulation structure 107. By regulating the dielectric constant and / or magnetic permeability of the modulation structure 107, the radiation pattern of the antenna unit 106 can be adjusted, so that the antenna unit 106 has multiple radiation patterns and can be applicable to a variety of different communication environments, improving the wireless communication performance of the electronic device.

[0066] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 3 is a top view of a modulation structure inside an electronic device. Figure 3 is a top view when the modulation structure 107 is laid out flat. The modulation structure 107 is a flexible structure and is conformally attached and fixed to the inner surface of the top of the receiving cavity 104.

[0067] Combined with Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the modulation structure 107 includes a flexible dielectric layer 108 and a plurality of metamaterial units 109 disposed on the flexible dielectric layer 108; the metamaterial units 109 are connected to form a metamaterial array.

[0068] Optionally, the flexible dielectric layer 108 may cover the entire inner surface of the rotating shaft housing 105. In other ways, the flexible dielectric layer 108 may also cover a part of the inner surface of the rotating shaft housing 105.

[0069] The metamaterial unit 109 is located on the surface of the flexible dielectric layer 108 facing away from the rotating shaft housing 105. The metamaterial unit 109 may be attached to the surface of the flexible dielectric layer 108, or directly formed on the surface of the flexible dielectric layer 108, and the required graphic structure is formed by an etching process.

[0070] The metamaterial unit 109 is located on the surface of the flexible dielectric layer 108. The flexible dielectric layer 108 may serve as a dielectric substrate to provide a supporting function and carry the design and function realization of the metamaterial unit 109. Optionally, the flexible dielectric layer 108 may be made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or a composite material formed by PTFE and other reinforcing materials, or fiberglass cloth (FR-4), etc.

[0071] In the embodiment of the present application, the flexible dielectric layer 108 and several metamaterial units 109 can form a flexible modulation structure 107, which can make the modulation structure 107 conformally fit and fix on the top inner surface of the accommodation cavity 104, so that the modulation structure 107 can be adapted to the inner surface of the three-dimensional structure accommodation cavity 104.

[0072] In one implementation manner, as Figure 3 shown, for the same antenna unit 106, a plurality of metamaterial units 109 can be arranged in sequence along the length direction X of the rotating shaft assembly 103 on the top inner surface of the accommodation cavity 104 above it to form a metamaterial array with a linear array structure.

[0073] Referring to Figure 4 , Figure 4 which is a control circuit diagram of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application. On the basis of other implementation manners, Figure 4 in the manner shown, the electronic device further includes a control module 110 signal-connected to the modulation structure 107. The control module 110 can apply a bias signal to the modulation structure 107 to regulate the dielectric constant and / or magnetic permeability of the modulation structure 107. Among them, the bias signal may be a bias voltage or a bias current.

[0074] In Figure 4 the manner shown, the control module 110 can regulate the dielectric constant and / or magnetic permeability of the modulation structure 107 through the bias signal. Furthermore, by changing the dielectric constant and / or magnetic permeability of the modulation structure 107, the radiation pattern of the antenna unit 106 can be changed, so that the same antenna unit 106 can have multiple different radiation patterns.

[0075] Optionally, the control module 110 can be a control chip already existing in the electronic device, such as any one of a system-on-chip (SoC), a programmable control chip (FPGA), and a microcontroller (MCU) in the electronic device. The control module 110 can also be an ASIC chip separately provided for controlling the modulation structure 107.

[0076] Reference Figure 5 , Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device. On the basis of other embodiments, Figure 5 In the manner shown, the first body 101 includes a display part composed of a first housing 111 and a display screen 112.

[0077] On the basis of other embodiments, such as Figure 5 shown, the second body 102 includes a main body part composed of a second housing 113 and an input device 114.

[0078] Combined with Figure 2 and Figure 5 shown, the rotating shaft housing 105 can be arranged on the first edge of the first housing 111. The rotating shaft housing 105 is a non-metallic arc-shaped housing extending towards the second body 102. The first edge can be a side edge of the first housing 111 close to the second body 102. Compared with an arc-shaped housing made of metal, the non-metallic arc-shaped housing can avoid electromagnetic shielding of the antenna unit 106 and avoid affecting the radiation performance of the antenna unit 106.

[0079] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 6 is a sectional view of a partial area of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application along the length direction of the rotating shaft assembly. On the basis of other embodiments, Figure 6 In the electronic device shown, combined with Figures 4 - 6 shown, a ground wire 115 connected to the first housing 111 and a signal wire 116 for connecting the control module 110 are further arranged in the accommodation cavity 104. The ground wire 115 is connected to the metal ground in the first housing 111. The signal wire 116 is used for inputting a bias signal.

[0080] The ground wire 115 is connected to the first housing 111, which is convenient for connecting to the metal ground in the first housing 111. The signal wire 116 is connected to the control module 110, which can facilitate providing a bias signal for the modulation structure 107 through the control module 110 to control the working state of the modulation structure.

[0081] Optionally, such as Figure 6As shown, a ground metal layer 127 is further provided at the bottom of the accommodation cavity 104. At least a part of the signal line 116 is covered by the ground metal layer 127 to perform electromagnetic shielding through the ground metal layer 127, reduce the interference of other electromagnetic signals received by the signal line 116, and also prevent the bias signal in the signal line 116 from affecting the antenna unit 106. Among them, the ground metal layer 127 and the signal line 116 are insulated from each other. The ground metal layer 127 can be a copper foil.

[0082] Reference Figure 7 , Figure 7 is a top view of the metamaterial unit 109 in an electronic device. Figure 7 is a top view when the metamaterial unit 109 is laid out flat. On the basis of other embodiments, Figure 7 in the shown manner, the two end portions of the metamaterial unit 109 of the modulation structure 107 are respectively connected to the ground wire 115 and the signal line 116.

[0083] Combined with Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the antenna unit 106 is located at the bottom of the accommodation cavity 104, and the modulation structure 107 is located on the inner surface of the top of the accommodation cavity 104 above the top of the antenna unit 106. Connecting the two end portions of the metamaterial unit 109 of the modulation structure 107 to the ground wire 115 and the signal line 116 respectively can make the ground wire 115 and the signal line 116 located on the left and right sides of the antenna unit 106 respectively, and both extend along the length direction X of the rotation shaft assembly 103, which is convenient for the layout of the antenna unit 106, the ground wire 115 and the signal line 116 at the bottom of the accommodation cavity 104.

[0084] In other ways, the rotation shaft housing 105 can also be provided at the second edge of the second housing 113. The rotation shaft housing 105 is a non-metallic arc-shaped housing extending towards the first housing 111. The second edge is the edge of the second housing 113 close to the first body 101.

[0085] Optionally, as Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, one end of the metamaterial unit 109 is connected to the signal line 116 through the first connector 118, and the other end is connected to the ground wire 115 through the second connector 117; among them, at least one of the first connector 118 and the second connector 117 is a target connector, and the target connector can pass the bias signal and block the electromagnetic signals received and transmitted by the antenna unit 106. The bias signal is a DC signal, and the electromagnetic signals received and transmitted by the antenna unit 106 are AC signals.

[0086] Setting at least one of the first connector 118 and the second connector 117 as the target connector, the function of passing DC and blocking AC can be realized by using the target connector, so as to avoid the interference of the electromagnetic signals received and transmitted by the antenna unit 106 on the bias signal.

[0087] For example, the target connection component can be Figure 7 the serpentine trace shown, which presents a high impedance in the electromagnetic signal frequency band transmitted and received by the antenna element 106 and is equivalent to an open circuit.

[0088] In Figure 7 the manner shown, taking the target connection component being a broken-line trace as an example for illustration. Figure 7 Taking the first connection component 118 and the second connection component 117 both being target connection components as an example for illustration. The target connection component includes at least one of a broken-line trace, a coil trace, and an inductance element, not limited to being Figure 7 the broken-line trace shown.

[0089] In one implementation, as Figure 7 shown, the metamaterial unit 109 includes: a first metal patch 119, the first metal patch 119 is connected to the ground wire 115; a second metal patch 120, the second metal patch 120 is connected to the signal wire 116; a switching switch 125, the switching switch 125 is connected between the first metal patch 119 and the second metal patch 120; a bias signal is used to control the on-state of the switching switch 125 to adjust the permittivity and / or permeability of the metamaterial unit 109.

[0090] As Figure 7 shown, the first metal patch 119 can be connected to the ground wire 115 through the second connection component 117. The second metal patch 120 can be connected to the signal wire 116 through the first connection component 118.

[0091] The first metal patch 119 and the second metal patch 120 are the key parts for the metamaterial unit 109 to form an artificial metamaterial. The metal patches in multiple metamaterial units 109 can achieve the regulation of electromagnetic signals through a specific array arrangement method and shape design. The material of the metal patch usually has a metal with high conductivity, such as Cu or Au, etc., to ensure that the electromagnetic signals transmitted and received by the antenna element 106 can generate sufficient modulation responses.

[0092] The switching switch 125 is an active device, and the on-state of the switching switch 125 can be controlled by the bias signal set on the metal patch, thereby adjusting the permittivity and / or permeability of the metamaterial unit 109. Optionally, the switching switch 125 can be a diode, a varactor, a MEMS switch, a radio frequency switch, etc.

[0093] In one implementation, as Figure 7As shown, if the metamaterial unit 109 is flattened on the same plane, the first metal patch 119 and the second metal patch 120 are centrosymmetric figures. When the metamaterial unit 109 is attached to the inner surface of the accommodation cavity 104 using a centrosymmetric graphic structure, it can enable the metal patches to resonate under multiple biases. When an electromagnetic signal is incident on the metal patches of this structure, their symmetry causes the metal patches in different regions to respond to electromagnetic screens of different frequencies, thereby achieving a multi-band phase response to better adjust the radiation pattern of the corresponding antenna unit 106.

[0094] In addition, the metal patches with a centrosymmetric structure can also make the response of the metamaterial unit 109 to electromagnetic signals in all directions more uniform, and can produce an electromagnetic signal modulation effect with a larger phase change; when facing electromagnetic signals with different polarization directions, it can exhibit relatively consistent electromagnetic characteristics. Regardless of the electric field direction of the electromagnetic signal, the metal patches in the metamaterial unit 109 can effectively interact with it.

[0095] Moreover, from the perspective of programmability, the metamaterial unit 109 adopts a centrosymmetric metal patch structure, which is easier to precisely control and adjust. In the case of digital coding and external circuit control, the electromagnetic characteristics can be changed through simple control rules.

[0096] Furthermore, the centrosymmetric metal patch structure is easier to ensure accuracy and consistency during the manufacturing and assembly processes. Compared with complex asymmetric structures, the centrosymmetric structure can better control the graphic size and shape in processing technologies such as photolithography and etching. At the same time, when assembling the metal patches onto the surface of the dielectric layer, the centrosymmetric structure can be more conveniently aligned and positioned, reducing errors during the assembly process. This is very important for application scenarios with large-scale production and high-performance requirements, and can improve the performance of the entire array.

[0097] Based on the above embodiments, the first metal patch 119 includes a first metal trace 121 and a second metal trace 122 that are vertically connected, and the second metal patch 120 includes a third metal trace 123 and a fourth metal trace 124 that are vertically connected; the first metal trace 121 and the third metal trace 123 are parallel and opposite to each other, and the second metal trace 122 and the fourth metal trace 124 are parallel and opposite to each other; the switching switch 125 is located within the metal square formed by the first metal trace 121 to the fourth metal trace 124; the metal square has openings 126 at the opposite ends of the second metal trace 122 and the third metal trace 123, and at the opposite ends of the first metal trace 121 and the fourth metal trace 124.

[0098] Optionally, as Figure 7 shown, the second metal trace 122 and the fourth metal trace 124 can each pass through a T-shaped trace (such as Figure 7It is connected to one end of the changeover switch 125 (shown in the small dotted square area in the middle). The connection position of the second metal trace 122 and the corresponding T-shaped trace is at the middle position of the distance between the first metal trace 121 and the third metal trace 123. The connection position of the fourth metal trace 124 and the corresponding T-shaped trace is at the middle position of the distance between the first metal trace 121 and the third metal trace 123. The two T-shaped traces are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the changeover switch 125.

[0099] Reference Figure 8 , Figure 8 is the equivalent circuit diagram of each metamaterial unit in the same antenna. On the basis of other embodiments, Figure 8 In the manner shown, for multiple metamaterial units 109 correspondingly arranged for the same antenna unit 106, each metamaterial unit 109 is connected to the same ground wire 115, and each metamaterial unit 109 is respectively connected to different signal wires 116.

[0100] In Figure 8 the manner shown, each metamaterial unit 109 corresponding to the same antenna unit 106 adopts the same ground wire 115, which can reduce the number of ground wires 115 and save the wiring space in the accommodation cavity 104. Each metamaterial unit 109 respectively adopts a separate signal wire 116, which can enable each metamaterial unit 109 to input a bias signal based on the separate signal wire 116 respectively, so as to control the conduction state of each metamaterial unit 109 respectively, which can enable the modulation structure 107 to have more conduction state combinations of the metamaterial units 109, and can enable the antenna unit 106 to have more radiation field patterns.

[0101] On the basis of other embodiments, in one embodiment of the embodiments of the present application, for multiple metamaterial units 109 correspondingly arranged for the same antenna unit 106, the distance between the metamaterial unit 109 and the antenna unit 106 can be set to be greater than one-eighth of the communication wavelength of the antenna unit 106 and less than the communication wavelength. Within this distance range, on the one hand, each metamaterial unit 109 can effectively modulate the electromagnetic signals received and transmitted by the antenna unit 106. On the other hand, it can also avoid mutual interference caused by a small distance between adjacent metamaterial units 109 when the distance is small, and can also avoid ineffective modulation of the electromagnetic signals received and transmitted by the antenna unit 106 when the distance is large.

[0102] Among them, for the determined antenna unit 106 in the electronic device, its communication band is determined, so the communication wavelength corresponding to the antenna unit 106 is determined. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the communication wavelength of the antenna unit 106.

[0103] Optionally, for multiple metamaterial units 109 corresponding to the same antenna unit 106, in the length direction X of the rotating shaft assembly 103, the distance between adjacent metamaterial units 109 is greater than one-eighth of the communication wavelength of the antenna unit 106 and less than the communication wavelength. Within this distance range, not only can each metamaterial unit 109 effectively modulate the electromagnetic signals transmitted and received by the corresponding antenna unit 106, but also mutual interference caused by the overly small distance between the metamaterial units 109 can be avoided.

[0104] Reference Figure 9 , Figure 9 FIG. 7 is a top view of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application when in a flattened state. To facilitate the display of the layout of the metamaterial units 109 and the antenna units 106 in the accommodation cavity 104, Figure 9 the rotating shaft assembly 103 is shown in a perspective view in FIG. 7. On the basis of other embodiments, Figure 9 in the electronic device shown in FIG. 8, two antenna units 106 are provided in the accommodation cavity 104, and the two antenna units 106 are respectively a first antenna unit 1061 and a second antenna unit 1062; a plurality of metamaterial units 109 are respectively provided corresponding to the first antenna unit 1061 and the second antenna unit 1062.

[0105] Figure 9 In the manner shown in FIG. 9, taking the example that four metamaterial units 109 are respectively provided corresponding to each antenna unit 106 in the length direction X of the rotating shaft assembly 103 for illustration. The number of metamaterial units 109 corresponding to each antenna unit 106 can be set according to requirements, and this number can be a positive integer greater than 1, such as 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 6, etc., and is not limited to four.

[0106] The metamaterial units 109 corresponding to the first antenna unit 1061 are first metamaterial units 1091, and the metamaterial units 109 corresponding to the second antenna unit 1062 are second metamaterial units 1092.

[0107] Optionally, on the plane where the bottom of the accommodation cavity 104 is located, for an antenna unit 106 and the plurality of metamaterial units 109 corresponding thereto, the vertical projection of the antenna unit 106 on this plane can be set to be located in the middle area of the vertical projections of all the metamaterial units 109, so that a plurality of antenna units 106 corresponding to the same antenna unit 106 are symmetrically arranged above the antenna unit 106, so as to improve the uniformity of the modulation of the antenna unit 106 by the modulation structure 107. As shown in Figure 9As shown, the first antenna unit 1061 is located between two first metamaterial units 1091 on the left and two first metamaterial units 1091 on the right, and the second antenna unit 1062 is located between two second metamaterial units 1092 on the left and two second metamaterial units 1092 on the right.

[0108] In one way, as Figure 9 shown, the metamaterial units 109 corresponding to the first antenna unit 1061 are equally spaced along the length direction X of the rotating shaft assembly 103 at a first distance d1, that is, the distance between the first metamaterial units 1091 is d1, and the first distance d1 is related to the communication wavelength of the first antenna unit 1061.

[0109] Among them, the communication wavelength of the first antenna unit 1061 is λ1, d1 is greater than one-eighth of λ1 and less than λ1. Within this distance range, not only can each first metamaterial unit 1091 effectively modulate the electromagnetic signals transmitted and received by the first antenna unit 1061, but also the mutual interference between the first metamaterial units 1091 due to too small a distance can be avoided.

[0110] In one way, as Figure 9 shown, the metamaterial units 109 corresponding to the second antenna unit 1062 are equally spaced along the length direction X of the rotating shaft assembly 103 at a second distance d2, that is, the distance between the second metamaterial units 1092 is d2, and the second distance d2 is related to the communication wavelength of the second antenna unit 1062.

[0111] Among them, the communication wavelength of the second antenna unit 1062 is λ2, d2 is greater than one-eighth of λ2 and less than λ2. Within this distance range, not only can each second metamaterial unit 1092 effectively modulate the electromagnetic signals transmitted and received by the second antenna unit 1062, but also the mutual interference between the second metamaterial units 1092 due to too small a distance can be avoided.

[0112] In one way, as Figure 9 shown, there is a third distance d3 between adjacent first metamaterial units 1091 and second metamaterial units 1092, d3 is greater than the communication wavelength of the first antenna unit 1061 and greater than the communication wavelength of the second antenna unit 1062, that is, d3 is greater than λ1 and d3 is greater than λ2. In this way, through the larger d3, the mutual influence between the metamaterial units 109 of different antenna units 106 can be effectively reduced.

[0113] Based on the above embodiments, in one implementation of the embodiments of the present application, the metamaterial unit 109 has a conducting state and a non-conducting state, and different electrical parameters correspond to the conducting state and the non-conducting state. As described above, the metamaterial unit 109 includes a switching switch 125, and the switching state of the switching switch 125 can be controlled by a bias signal to control the metamaterial unit 109 to be in the conducting state or the non-conducting state.

[0114] There are N metamaterial units 109 correspondingly arranged for the same antenna unit 106, where N is a positive integer; the antenna unit has 2 N radiation field patterns. As described above, the multiple metamaterial units 109 corresponding to the antenna unit 106 can be arranged in an X-shaped array along the length direction of the rotating shaft assembly 103. Different conducting combination states of the metamaterial units 109 result in different overall dielectric constants and / or magnetic permeabilities of the modulation structure 107 itself, thus having different modulation effects on the electromagnetic signals transmitted and received by the antenna unit 106, and enabling the antenna unit 106 to have different radiation field patterns. Among them, one conducting combination state corresponds to one radiation field pattern.

[0115] Optionally, the control module 110 is at least used to select a target radiation field pattern adapted to the current communication environment of the electronic device from 2 N pre-stored radiation patterns. This method can select the radiation field pattern with the maximum radiation performance in the current environment as the target radiation field pattern according to the current communication environment of the electronic device, so as to enable the electronic device to have better radiation performance in different communication environments.

[0116] In the embodiments of the present application, the modulation structure 107 is a flexible programmable electromagnetic metamaterial surface. The modulation structure 107 includes multiple metamaterial units 109, and the metamaterial units 109 can be controlled by a bias signal to regulate the modulation effect of the modulation structure 107 on the electromagnetic signals transmitted and received by the antenna unit 106.

[0117] The programmable electromagnetic metamaterial surface has become a research topic in recent years, but in the current industrial community, there is no mature solution to apply it to the antenna unit of a foldable electronic device.

[0118] Refer to Figure 10 , Figure 10 for the schematic diagram of the principle that a conventional electronic device cannot integrate a programmable electromagnetic metamaterial surface into the electronic device. In the conventional technology, the programmable electromagnetic metamaterial surface serving as the modulation structure 107 is a planar structure, and both the metamaterial unit 109 and the array size are relatively large. Taking a notebook computer as an example, due to space limitations of the metal shell of the notebook computer, the modulation structure 107 cannot be placed inside the notebook computer. Currently, the common programmable electromagnetic metamaterial surfaces are mainly used as radomes for radar antennas, and their unit sizes are much larger than the internal space of a notebook computer.

[0119] In addition, since a bias signal needs to be applied to the programmable electromagnetic metamaterial surface through the ground wire 115 and the signal wire 116, and the internal space of the notebook computer body is limited, if the programmable electromagnetic metamaterial surface is arranged in the internal space of the notebook computer body, it will cause the ground wire 115 and the signal wire 116 to be very close to the antenna unit 106. The radiation energy of the antenna unit 106 will be coupled to the ground wire 115 and the signal wire 116, resulting in a significant deterioration in the performance of the antenna unit 106 and failing to meet the performance requirements of the notebook computer.

[0120] For an electronic device with a dual-antenna structure, such as a thin and light metal-cased notebook computer, the outer shells of its display body (the first body 101) and the host part (the second body 102) are usually made of metal materials. Due to limited internal space, the two antenna units 106 usually need to be arranged in a non-metallic material rotating shaft housing. Based on this, in the embodiments of the present application, the antenna unit 106 is arranged in the accommodation cavity 104 of the rotating shaft housing 105, and a flexible programmable electromagnetic metamaterial surface is used as the modulation structure 107, so as to facilitate arranging the modulation structure 107 on the inner surface of the accommodation cavity 104. The metamaterial unit array in the modulation structure 107 can be conformally arranged on the inner surface of the accommodation cavity 104, thus solving the technical problem that the programmable electromagnetic metamaterial surface cannot be placed inside the notebook computer.

[0121] Optionally, the rotating shaft housing 105 can be an insulating material housing such as plastic, and the modulation structure 107 can be attached to the inner surface of the rotating shaft housing 105 along the arc surface of the inner wall of the rotating shaft housing 105 to cover the antenna unit 106. There is no electrical connection between the antenna unit 106 and the metamaterial unit 109 in the modulation structure 107, and the distance between the two is greater than one-eighth of the communication wavelength of the antenna unit 106 and less than the communication wavelength. If the distance is less than one-eighth of the communication wavelength, mutual coupling will occur between the metamaterial unit 109 and the antenna unit 106, affecting the radiation performance of the antenna itself. If it is greater than the communication wavelength, the phase response change caused by switching the two states of the metamaterial unit 109 is too small, and the deflection modulation of the antenna pattern is limited, and the radiation field pattern cannot be effectively adjusted.

[0122] Next, taking Figure 7 the shown manner as an example, combined with specific simulation experiment data, the technical solution of the embodiments of the present application will be further described.

[0123] When the switching switch 125 is switched to the conducting state, the equivalent permittivity and equivalent permeability of the metamaterial unit 109 are negative, and the phase response of the metamaterial unit 109 to the electromagnetic signal is nonlinear. When the switching switch 125 is switched to the off state, the equivalent permittivity and equivalent permeability are positive, and the phase response of the metamaterial unit 109 to the electromagnetic signal is linear. The phase responses of the two states of the switching switch 125 to the electromagnetic signal are extremely different, and different phase responses correspond to different fixed electromagnetic signal propagation directions. Therefore, the propagation direction of the electromagnetic signal will also change greatly, such as Figure 11 as shown

[0124] Refer to Figure 11 , Figure 11 which is the phase response curve of the switching switch in different states in the metamaterial unit. The horizontal axis is the frequency, with the unit of GHz, and the vertical axis is the phase, with the unit of degree. Based on Figure 11 the comparison of the two response curves shown, the phase responses of the switching switch in different states have relatively large differences

[0125] The metamaterial units 109 in the modulation structure 107 are in a parallel structure, and the conduction states can be separately controlled through the signal lines 116 connected to each of them. Therefore, the switching switch 125 in each metamaterial unit 109 has a large number of switch combination states. Each switch combination state can make the overall equivalent permittivity and equivalent permeability of the modulation structure 107 different, so that an electromagnetic metamaterial surface with a large number of different equivalent permittivity and equivalent permeability values can be formed, which can produce different phase responses to the electromagnetic signal. Different phase responses correspond to different electromagnetic signal directions, producing the effect of a phased array antenna and realizing the controllability of the antenna signal propagation direction

[0126] For a dual-antenna structure such as Figure 5 shown, in the control module 110, the phase information corresponding to the metamaterial units 109, the metamaterial arrays, and the respective switch combination states corresponding to each antenna unit 106 (different phase information corresponds to different radiation patterns) can be pre-stored in the programmable control chip, thus forming a programmable electromagnetic metamaterial intelligent antenna

[0127] The control module 110 can switch the conduction states of the switching switches 125 in each metamaterial unit 109 through the programmable control chip, generate the control effect of a phased array through the switch combination states of multiple switching switches 125, realize the adjustment of the antenna signal propagation direction, eliminate the null points existing in the radiation pattern of the electronic device, thus filling the dead corners of the antenna far-field radiation pattern, and can also converge the electromagnetic signal, greatly increasing the signal strength in the required direction, and can minimize the influence of the antenna surrounding environment to the greatest extent

[0128] Refer to Figure 12 ,Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of the principle that an electronic device deflects the propagation direction of an electromagnetic signal through the metamaterial unit in the modulation structure. Figure 12 Among them, 010101 and 001011 are digital control signals corresponding to the bias signals of each switching switch 125 in the same modulation structure 107. Based on Figure 12 As can be seen from the electromagnetic signal radiation pattern shown, when each switching switch 125 is in different switch combination states, the radiation direction of the electromagnetic signal has a large difference. By controlling different switch combination states, the adjustment of the radiation field pattern can be realized.

[0129] In the above embodiment, the technical solution of the present application is described by taking the electronic device as a notebook computer as an example. It should be noted that the electronic device in the present application includes but is not limited to a notebook computer, and can also be a foldable device with a rotating shaft assembly such as a foldable mobile phone or a wearable device.

[0130] In the description of the present application, the embodiments are described in a progressive, or parallel, or a combination of progressive and parallel manners. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts among the embodiments can be referred to each other. The embodiments provided by the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0131] It should be noted that in the description of the present application, it should be understood that the descriptions of the drawings and embodiments are illustrative rather than restrictive. The same reference numerals throughout the embodiments of the specification identify the same structures. Additionally, for the sake of understanding and easy description, the drawings may exaggerate the thickness of some layers, films, panels, regions, etc. At the same time, it can be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" another element, the element can be directly on the other element or there may be intermediate elements. Additionally, "on..." means positioning the element on or below another element, but essentially does not mean positioning on the upper side of another element according to the direction of gravity.

[0132] The orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present application. When a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be intermediate components present.

[0133] It should also be noted that, in this text, relational terms such as first and second are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the term "comprising", "including" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that an article or device comprising a series of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements not expressly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such article or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the statement "comprising an..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the article or device comprising the above elements.

[0134] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to implement or use the present application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application will not be limited to these embodiments shown herein, but rather to the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising: first ontology; A second body, the second body is rotatably connected to the first body through a rotating shaft assembly, and the rotating shaft assembly includes a rotating shaft housing having an accommodating cavity; An antenna unit disposed in the accommodating cavity, used for receiving and sending wireless signals for a communication module of the electronic device; The modulation structure arranged on the inner surface of the accommodating cavity surrounds the circumference of the antenna unit, wherein the dielectric constant and / or magnetic permeability of the modulation structure itself can be controlled to adjust the radiation field pattern of the antenna unit.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the modulation structure comprises a flexible dielectric layer and a plurality of metamaterial units disposed on the flexible dielectric layer; the metamaterial units are connected to form a metamaterial array; and / or, The electronic device further comprises a control module connected to the modulation structure signal, and the control module is capable of applying a bias signal to the modulation structure to adjust the dielectric constant and / or magnetic permeability of the modulation structure.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein: The first body includes a display part consisting of a first shell and a display screen, and / or the second body includes a host part consisting of a second shell and an input device; The shaft housing is disposed at a first edge of the first housing, and the shaft housing is a non-metallic arc-shaped housing extending toward the second body; The accommodating cavity is also provided with a ground wire connected to the first housing and a signal wire for connecting the control module; the ground wire is used to connect to the metal ground in the first housing; the signal wire is used to connect to the bias signal; and / or, Two ends of the metamaterial unit of the modulation structure are connected to the ground line and the signal line respectively.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein one end of the metamaterial unit is connected to the signal line through a first connector, and the other end is connected to the ground line through a second connector; in, At least one of the first connector and the second connector is a target connector, and the target connector can pass the bias signal and block the electromagnetic signal received and transmitted by the antenna unit. 5 . The electronic device according to claim 4 , wherein the target connection component comprises at least one of a zigzag line, a coil line, or an inductor element.

6. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the metamaterial unit comprises: A first metal patch connected to the ground wire; A second metal patch connected to the signal line; A switching switch is connected between the first metal patch and the second metal patch; the bias signal is used to control the conduction state of the switching switch to adjust the dielectric constant and / or magnetic permeability of the metamaterial unit.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein when the metamaterial units are flattened in the same plane: The first metal patch and the second metal patch are centrally symmetrically arranged; And / or, the first metal patch includes a first metal trace and a second metal trace that are vertically connected, and the second metal patch includes a third metal trace and a fourth metal trace that are vertically connected; the first metal trace and the third metal trace are parallel to each other, and the second metal trace and the fourth metal trace are parallel to each other; the switching switch is located in a metal frame formed by the first metal trace to the fourth metal trace; the metal frame has openings at the ends opposite to the second metal trace and the third metal trace and at the ends opposite to the first metal trace and the fourth metal trace.

8. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein among the plurality of metamaterial units corresponding to the same antenna unit: Each of the metamaterial units is connected to the same ground line, and each of the metamaterial units is connected to different signal lines respectively; Or, the distance between the metamaterial unit and the antenna unit is greater than one eighth of the communication wavelength of the antenna unit and less than the communication wavelength; Or, the distance between adjacent metamaterial units is greater than one eighth of the communication wavelength of the antenna unit and less than the communication wavelength.

9. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein two antenna units are arranged in the accommodating cavity, and the two antenna units are respectively a first antenna unit and a second antenna unit; the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit are respectively provided with a plurality of metamaterial units; Or; the metamaterial units corresponding to the first antenna units are arranged at equal intervals along the length direction of the shaft assembly at a first distance, and the first distance is related to the communication wavelength of the first antenna unit; Or, the metamaterial units corresponding to the second antenna units are arranged at equal intervals along the length direction of the shaft assembly at a second distance, and the second distance is related to the communication wavelength of the second antenna unit; Or, the metamaterial unit in the first antenna unit is a first metamaterial unit, the metamaterial unit in the second antenna unit is a second metamaterial unit, and there is a third distance between adjacent first metamaterial units and second metamaterial units, and the third distance is greater than the communication wavelength of the first antenna unit and greater than the communication wavelength of the second antenna unit.

10. The electronic device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the metamaterial unit has an on state and an off state, and the on state and the off state correspond to different electrical parameters; The same antenna unit is provided with N metamaterial units, where N is a positive integer; the antenna unit has 2 N The radiation pattern; The control module is used to store at least 2 N A target radiation pattern adapted to the current communication environment of the electronic device is selected from the radiation patterns.

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