External antenna kit

Abstract

The present invention relates to an external antenna kit, comprising: a first module comprising a first electromagnetic shielding region and a first electromagnetic transparent region; the second module comprises a second electromagnetic shielding area, is attached to the first module and is in communication connection with the first module; the external antenna is separated from the second module and is electrically connected with the second module; and the antenna slot is configured in the first electromagnetic transparent area contained in the first module and is provided with a geometric structure corresponding to the external antenna, so that the external antenna can be arranged in the antenna slot.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an external antenna kit, and in particular to an external antenna kit deployed in an electromagnetic transparent area and capable of being incorporated into the housing structure of an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, for an antenna used to receive and transmit radio frequency signals, ideally, the antenna should be configured in an electromagnetic transparent area rather than an electromagnetic shielding area, because the electromagnetic shielding effect generated in the electromagnetic shielding area will hinder the propagation of wireless signals. If an antenna is deployed inside the electromagnetic shielding area, it will cause attenuation of the radio frequency signal, thereby affecting the signal quality of transmission and reception, and may also increase the transmission error rate.

[0003] If an antenna is deployed near the electromagnetic shielding area, although it will not directly cause signal attenuation, it may cause additional signal interference, because when the radio frequency signal encounters an electromagnetic shielding object, it may be reflected or scattered, thereby causing cross-interference of the signal and reducing the overall communication quality and performance.

[0004] However, inside today's electronic devices, there are usually a large number of conductive materials, such as metal casings, circuit boards, electronic components, batteries, conductive adhesives, conductive coatings, metal brackets, wires, and connectors, etc. Among them, the metal casing will form a Faraday shield effect, absorbing the radio frequency signals that are about to enter or leave the metal casing, resulting in a significant attenuation of the signals.

[0005] Other conductive materials may reflect or scatter the radio frequency signals to varying degrees according to their relative positions to the antenna, thereby weakening the signal strength received by the antenna, or reducing the radiation power density, gain, or directivity of the signals transmitted by the antenna.

[0006] However, in many current electronic devices, in order to integrate powerful functions and maintain miniaturization at the same time, their structural layouts have become increasingly compact, resulting in a rather limited available electromagnetic transparent area. Therefore, how to find or create an electromagnetic transparent area in these electronic devices, or flexibly modify the structure and configuration of the antenna to make full use of the limited electromagnetic transparent area for the transmission and reception of radio frequency signals has become an extremely important technical challenge and one of the problems that need to be overcome in the existing antenna technology.

[0007] Therefore, in view of the disadvantages existing in the prior art, the inventor has made painstaking attempts and research, and with perseverance, finally conceived the "external antenna kit" of this case, which can overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages. The following is a brief description of the present invention. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention relates to an external antenna kit, and more particularly to an external antenna kit deployed in an electromagnetic transparent area and capable of being incorporated into the housing structure of an electronic device.

[0009] The present invention provides an external antenna kit, comprising: a first module including a first electromagnetic shielding area and a first electromagnetic transparent area; a second module including a second electromagnetic shielding area, attached to the first module and communicatively connected to the first module; an external antenna, configured separately from the second module and electrically connected to the second module; and an antenna slot, disposed in the first electromagnetic transparent area included in the first module and having a geometric structure corresponding to the external antenna for providing insertion of the external antenna.

[0010] The above summary of the invention is intended to provide a simplified summary of the present disclosure to enable the reader to have a basic understanding of the present disclosure. This summary of the invention is not a complete description of the present invention and is not intended to point out the important / critical components of the embodiments of the present invention or to define the scope of the present invention. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] Figure 1 Schematic diagram showing the overall structure of the information system and the external antenna kit included in the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2 Schematic diagram showing the front structure of the first module included in the present invention;

[0013] Figure 3 Schematic diagram showing the outer side structure of the second housing included in the present invention;

[0014] Figure 4 Schematic diagram showing the inner side structure of the second housing included in the present invention;

[0015] Figure 5 Schematic diagram showing the side sectional structure of the antenna slot included in the present invention; and

[0016] Figure 6 Schematic diagram showing the structure of the external antenna actually disposed on the first module and the second module included in the present invention.

[0017] Description of the Reference Numerals in the Drawings

[0018] 10 External antenna kit

[0019] 11 External antenna

[0020] 12 Signal line

[0021] 13 Partial antenna structure

[0022] 20 Antenna slot

[0023] 21 Opening

[0024] 30 tank

[0025] Page 31

[0026] 32 Side 2

[0027] 33 Floor structure

[0028] 34 stop parts

[0029] 35 Recessed structure

[0030] 40 Radiation pattern

[0031] 100 Module 1

[0032] 101 First Shell

[0033] 102 Second Shell

[0034] 1021 inner side

[0035] 1022 outer side

[0036] 103 longitudinal reinforcement

[0037] 104 transverse reinforcement

[0038] 105 longitudinal reinforcement

[0039] 106 transverse reinforcement

[0040] 107 Metal Bracket

[0041] 108 Display Assembly

[0042] 110 interface devices

[0043] 120 transmission lines

[0044] 130 Internal transfer connector

[0045] 200 Module 2

[0046] 201 First Cover

[0047] 202 Second cover

[0048] 203 transfer structure

[0049] 210 Internal communication connector

[0050] 300 snap-on fastening link module

[0051] 400 Information Systems

[0052] FS front

[0053] BS Back side

[0054] DS Display surface

[0055] ES1 First electromagnetic shielding area

[0056] ES2 Second electromagnetic shielding area

[0057] ET1 First electromagnetic penetration area

[0058] D Depth

[0059] W Width

[0060] H Height Detailed implementation manners

[0061] The present invention can be fully understood from the following illustrative embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can implement it accordingly. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments; the drawings of the present invention do not include limitations on size, dimensions and scale. When the present invention is actually implemented, its size, dimensions and scale are not limited by the drawings of the present invention.

[0062] The term "preferably" used herein is non-exclusive and should be understood as "preferably but not limited to". Any step described or recited in any specification or claim can be executed in any order, not limited to the order described in the claims. The scope of the present invention should be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalent solutions, and should not be determined by the embodiments of the implementation manners; when the term "comprising" and its variations appear in the specification and claims, it is an open term without a restrictive meaning and does not exclude other features or steps.

[0063] Figure 1 Discloses a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the information system and the external antenna kit included in the present invention; Figure 2 Discloses a front view structure diagram of the first module included in the present invention. The information system 400 included in the present invention includes main units such as a first module 100, a second module 200, and an external antenna kit 10.

[0064] The first module 100 is located at the front end and serves as an input / output interface (I / O interface) module that displays information to the user and accepts user input and operations. It contains a display, a touch screen or other electronic circuit components. The first module 100 is also communicatively connected to other interface devices 110. The interface devices 110 include but are not limited to: a barcode scanner, a card reader, a card swiping machine, an NFC card reader, a fingerprint identifier, a printer, a camera, a mouse, a keyboard, a speaker, an intelligent button (iButton), a second display, a biometric identifier, and an electronic payment device, etc.

[0065] The internal electronic control module for driving and controlling the first module 100 is further configured in a separate second module 200. The first module 100 is preferably a front-end module, a front-end display module, a front-end module, a front-end display module, a display device or a touch display device, etc.

[0066] The shell components of the first module 100 include a first shell 101 serving as a front shell located on the front side FS, and a second shell 102 serving as a back panel located on the back side BS. The first shell 101 and the second shell 102 are preferably made of plastic or other dielectric materials. The front side FS refers to the surface including the display surface DS provided by the display or touch screen. Therefore, different numbers of electronic components and metal structures are configured below and inside the front side FS. Therefore, the front side FS of the first module 100 will cause a certain degree of electromagnetic shielding effect (electromagnetic shielding effect) on electromagnetic waves such as wireless radio frequency signals, and therefore the front side FS belongs to the first electromagnetic shielding area ES1.

[0067] The back surface BS of the first module 100, especially the area near the second housing 102, contains relatively few electronic components, metal conductive materials, or metal structures. Therefore, the back surface BS is less likely to cause an electromagnetic shielding effect on electromagnetic waves, such as wireless radio frequency signals, and can allow relatively more electromagnetic waves to penetrate. Therefore, the back surface BS belongs to the first electromagnetic transparent area ET1.

[0068] The second module 200 is preferably a separate control box module. The second module 200 includes an internal electronic control module required to drive and control the first module 100. The second module 200 includes a processor based on x86 architecture or ARM architecture, a microcontroller, a basic input / output system (BIOS), a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) unit, an embedded controller (EC), memory (RAM), storage media such as a solid-state drive (SSD), an SD memory card or a mechanical hard drive, a power management module, a speaker, a network power supply module, a cooling unit or an integrated communication interface, etc.

[0069] The first module 100 and the second module 200 have a unified internal communication interface to form an integrated communication connection. The first module 100 has been configured to integrate all communication interfaces of different specifications into a single transmission line 120 and a single internal transmission connector 130. The second module 200 is configured to include a single internal communication connector 210. The first module 100 and the second module 200 only need to insert the internal transmission connector 130 into the internal communication connector 210 to complete a two-way communication connection, which has the characteristics of a unified signal interface.

[0070] The shell components of the second module 200 include a first cover body 201 as an upper cover and a second cover body 202 as a bottom cover. A set of snap-fitting link modules 300 are distributed on the first shell 101, the second shell 102, the first cover body 201 and the second cover body 202 to physically link the first module 100 and the second module 200 together, and together with the interface device 110 form an information system 400.

[0071] In one embodiment, the locking and fastening link module 300 preferably includes, but is not limited to, grooves, depressions, protrusions, positioning holes, assembly holes, positioning slots, holes, openings, blind holes, tenons, buckles, fasteners, latches, snap hooks, slots, pins, buckles, press studs, press studs, quick releases, circlips, quick-release structures, screws, screwing holes, bolts, nuts, or rivets, so as to physically link the first module 100 and the second module 200 through the locking mechanism and the fastening mechanism.

[0072] By replacing the second module 200 with different functions, the information system 400 including the first module 100 and the second module 200 can preferably be transformed into various application-end information terminal devices, including but not limited to: service point (POS) machines, tablet computers, medical-grade tablet computers, information stations (Kiosk) and self-service checkout (SOC) machines.

[0073] The first cover 201 of the second module 200 further includes a plurality of adapter structures 203. The adapter structures 203 are preferably, for example, but not limited to, grooves, depressions, protrusions, positioning holes, assembly holes, positioning slots, holes, openings, blind holes, tenons, latches, fasteners, plugs, buckles, hooks, slots, latches, buckles, snaps, press buckles, quick releases, retaining springs, quick-release structures, screws, threaded holes, bolts, nuts, rivets, or retaining springs. In this embodiment, the adapter structures 203 are preferably a plurality of threaded holes.

[0074] When the second module 200 is combined with the first module 100 through the link module to form an information system 400, the information system 400 will be fixed to a specific installation point through the adapter structure 203 on the first cover 201. The installation point is preferably a support frame, base, platform, shell or a certain position on the wall.

[0075] Therefore, the structural strength of the first cover 201 of the second module 200 needs to be at least able to withstand the total weight of the second module 200 and the first module 100, and it is best to have a certain degree of heat dissipation capability and grounding effect. Therefore, the first cover 201 is preferably made of metal material. Therefore, the first cover 201 will cause an electromagnetic shielding effect on electromagnetic waves, and the range covered by the first cover 201 belongs to the second electromagnetic shielding area ES2.

[0076] Due to the electromagnetic shielding effect formed by the first cover 201, wireless radio frequency signals are blocked from entering the first cover 201 or emitting from the first cover 201, thereby causing certain interference to the internal communication module of the second module 200 and causing poor signal transmission and reception.

[0077] Therefore, the communication module included in the second module 200 also includes an external antenna 11. The external antenna 11 is separated from the second module 200 and leaves the first cover 201. It is deployed in the electromagnetic transparent area ET1 on the first module 100. The external antenna 11 is electrically connected to the communication module included in the second module 200 through the signal line 301.

[0078] Therefore, an external antenna kit 10 including an external antenna 11 and an antenna slot 20 will be deployed in the electromagnetic transparent area ET1 on the first module 100. By configuring the external antenna 11 in the electromagnetic transparent area ET1 outside the first cover 201, especially at a position where electromagnetic waves can relatively easily penetrate, the electromagnetic shielding effect formed by the first cover 201 can be avoided, thereby improving the signal transmission and reception quality of the communication module.

[0079] In one embodiment, the geometric structure of the external antenna 11 is preferably designed to be flat, and in particular, to be rectangular and flat, so as to reduce space occupation and enable the components inside the first module 100 to be compactly arranged, which helps to keep the information system 400 thin or flat. In addition, the rectangular and flat antenna structure helps to reduce mutual interference with other internal communication components and improve the quality of signal transmission and reception. The rectangular and flat antenna is simple to manufacture and can also reduce production costs. However, the geometric shape of the external antenna 11 is not limited to a rectangular and flat shape. The geometric shape of the external antenna 11 can also be flat, circular, triangular, polygonal or other shapes. The external antenna 11 is preferably a Wi-Fi antenna, a Bluetooth (BT) antenna, an LTE antenna or a Sub-G antenna.

[0080] Figure 3 Schematic structural diagram of the outer side of the second housing included in the present invention; Figure 4 Schematic structural diagram of the inner side of the second housing included in the present invention; Figure 5 Schematic side sectional view of the antenna slot included in the present invention. Figure 3 Depicts the structure of the outer side 1022 of the second housing 102, where the outer side 1022 refers to the surface of the second housing 102 facing the external environment. Figure 4 Depicts the structure of the inner side 1021 of the second housing 102, where the inner side 1021 refers to the surface of the second housing 102 that is enclosed inside the housing and faces the internal electronic components.

[0081] To avoid the external antenna 11 being affected by the electromagnetic shielding effect, the external antenna 11 is preferably disposed at a position in the information system 400 where electromagnetic waves can penetrate. In this embodiment, the external antenna 11 is preferably selected to be arranged in the first electromagnetic penetration area ET1 of the first module 100, that is, it is preferably attached to the second housing 102 located on the back surface BS of the first module 100, and is preferably integrated into the structure of the second housing 102.

[0082] In an embodiment, preferably, in the process of manufacturing the second housing 102, for example, but not limited to, by injection molding, the structure of the antenna slot 20 is formed on the second housing 102. As Figure 4 As shown, on the inner side 1021 of the plastic second housing 102, for example, at the edge of the inner side 1021, many criss-crossing structural ribs are usually arranged, such as a plurality of longitudinal ribs 103 and a plurality of transverse ribs 104, to strengthen the structural strength of the plastic second housing 102 at specific positions or as a whole. In an embodiment, the antenna slot 20 is preferably designed to be formed by criss-crossing structural ribs.

[0083] In an embodiment, the antenna slot 20 structurally includes an opening 21 and a slot body 30. As Figure 4 As shown, the slot body 30 is preferably a blind hole with a certain depth, and its geometric structure preferably corresponds to the geometric structure of the external antenna. Therefore, the slot body 30 is preferably also designed to be rectangular and flat, but the geometric shape of the slot body 30 is not limited to rectangular and flat. The geometric shape of the slot body 30 can also be circular, triangular, polygonal or other shapes. The overall structure of the slot body 30 preferably closely adheres to the second housing 102 and is arranged compactly with the second housing 102, or is substantially parallel to the inner side 1021 of the second housing 102, so as to reduce the space occupied by the external antenna 11 and maintain the flat shape of the first module 100.

[0084] In an embodiment, the slot body 30 includes a first surface 31 and a second surface 32. The first surface 31 is preferably the surface closer to the outer side surface 1022, and the second surface 32 is preferably the surface closer to the inner side surface 1021. The first surface 31 is preferably defined by a plurality of longitudinal reinforcing ribs 105 and a plurality of transverse reinforcing ribs 106. The second surface 32 is preferably defined by a bottom plate structure 33, but may also be defined by a plurality of longitudinal reinforcing ribs 105 and a plurality of transverse reinforcing ribs 106.

[0085] The depth D of the slot body 30 is defined by a stopper 34. The stopper 34 itself is preferably a transverse reinforcing rib or a dedicated retaining wall structure. The opening 21 is also designed to include a retracted structure 35. The shape and size of the opening 21 preferably correspond to the shape and size of the cross-section of the external antenna 11. In an embodiment, the width W and height H of the slot body 30 are preferably all defined by a plurality of longitudinal reinforcing ribs 105 and a plurality of transverse reinforcing ribs 106 included in the second housing 102.

[0086] In an embodiment, the structures such as the first surface 31, the second surface 32, the bottom plate structure 33, and the stopper 34 included in the slot body 30 can also be used in reverse as the plurality of longitudinal reinforcing ribs 105 and the plurality of transverse reinforcing ribs 106 of the second housing 102.

[0087] The external antenna 11 enters the slot body 30 from the opening 21 until it touches the stopper 34. When the external antenna 11 is successfully inserted into the antenna slot 20, a part of the antenna structure 13 will protrude from the retracted structure 35. When the user wants to remove the external antenna 11 from the antenna slot 20, just gently press this small part of the antenna structure 13 with a finger and then gently pull the external antenna 11 outward to remove the external antenna 11.

[0088] When the external antenna 11 is successfully inserted into the antenna slot 20, the radio frequency signal 410 transmitted and received by the external antenna 11 can enter and exit the first electromagnetic permeable region ET1 unobstructed, without being blocked by the first electromagnetic shielding region ES1 and the second electromagnetic shielding region ES2.

[0089] Figure 6 This invention includes a schematic structural diagram of the actual configuration of the external antenna on the first module and the second module. The external antenna 11 is actually configured in the first electromagnetic permeable region ET1 of the second housing 102 included in the first module 100. The configuration position of the external antenna 11 on the first module 100 just avoids the first electromagnetic shielding region ES1 on the front surface FS of the first module 100 and also avoids the second electromagnetic shielding region ES2 formed by the first cover 201 of the second module 200. Below the second housing 102 may include a metal bracket 107, a display component 108, and other metal sheets, conductive structures or conductor structures, and these components will cause a certain degree of electromagnetic shielding effect on the radio frequency signal.

[0090] The external antenna 11 proposed by the present invention should be configured to avoid conductive materials such as metals and conductor structures as much as possible, and should be deployed in an electromagnetic transparent area composed of dielectric materials such as plastics as much as possible. It should also be incorporated into the housing structure of the electronic device as much as possible. After avoiding the first electromagnetic shielding area ES1 and the second electromagnetic shielding area ES2, the radio frequency signal emitted by the external antenna 11 will form a slightly directional radiation pattern 40 and enhance the gain of the signal in a specific direction.

[0091] The external antenna kit proposed by the present invention is designed as a quick-draw drawer structure. The included external antenna can be simply, conveniently, and quickly installed into the antenna slot, and the installation can be completed simply, conveniently, and quickly. The external antenna kit proposed by the present invention can be applied to various other electronic devices, and since its antenna slot has been integrated with the reinforcing ribs of the housing, it can effectively reduce the product cost and the product development cost.

[0092] The above embodiments of the present invention can be combined or replaced with each other arbitrarily, thereby deriving more embodiments, but all are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Further, more embodiments of the present invention are provided as follows:

[0093] Embodiment 1: An external antenna kit, comprising: a first module, which includes a first electromagnetic shielding area and a first electromagnetic transparent area; a second module, which includes a second electromagnetic shielding area and is attached to the first module and communicatively connected to the first module; an external antenna, which is separately configured from the second module and electrically connected to the second module; and an antenna slot, which is configured in the first electromagnetic transparent area included in the first module and has a geometric structure corresponding to the external antenna to provide for the insertion of the external antenna.

[0094] Embodiment 2: The external antenna kit according to Embodiment 1, further comprising one of the following: the antenna slot further includes a slot body, and the slot body has a geometric structure corresponding to the external antenna to provide for the insertion of the external antenna; the first module further includes a first housing and a second housing; and the slot body is attached to and formed on the first housing or the second housing.

[0095] Embodiment 3: The external antenna kit according to Embodiment 2, wherein the width and height of the slot body are defined by a plurality of longitudinal reinforcing ribs and a plurality of transverse reinforcing ribs included in the second housing.

[0096] Embodiment 4: The external antenna kit according to Embodiment 2, wherein the depth of the slot body is defined by a plurality of longitudinal reinforcing ribs or a plurality of transverse reinforcing ribs included in the second housing.

[0097] Embodiment 5: The external antenna kit as described in Embodiment 2, wherein the geometric structure of the slot body is flat or flattened, and is closely arranged with the first housing or the second housing.

[0098] Embodiment 6: The external antenna kit as described in Embodiment 1, further comprising one of the following: the second module further comprises a first cover body, and the first cover body forms the second electromagnetic shielding area; and the antenna slot further comprises an opening, and the opening comprises a retracted structure.

[0099] Embodiment 7: The external antenna kit as described in Embodiment 6, wherein after the external antenna is inserted into the antenna slot, a part of the antenna structure included in the external antenna is exposed from the retracted structure.

[0100] Embodiment 8: The external antenna kit as described in Embodiment 1, further comprising one of the following: a snap-fastening link module, which comprises a snap mechanism and a fastening mechanism to physically link the first module and the second module; the first module, which comprises a single transmission line and a single internal transmission joint; and the second module, which comprises a single internal communication joint electrically connected to the single internal transmission joint to unify the internal communication interface between the first module and the second module and form an integrated communication connection.

[0101] Embodiment 9: The external antenna kit as described in Embodiment 1, wherein the external antenna is a Wi-Fi antenna, a Bluetooth antenna, an LTE antenna or a Sub-G antenna.

[0102] Embodiment 10: The external antenna kit as described in Embodiment 1, wherein the second module further comprises a communication module, and the communication module is electrically connected to the external antenna through a signal line.

[0103] The embodiments of the present invention can be arbitrarily combined or replaced with each other, so as to derive more embodiments, but all are within the scope of protection of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An external antenna kit, comprising: A first module, which includes a first electromagnetic shielding area and a first electromagnetic permeable area; A second module, which includes a second electromagnetic shielding area, is attached to the first module and is communicatively connected to the first module; An external antenna, which is separately configured from the second module and is electrically connected to the second module; and An antenna slot, which is disposed in the first electromagnetic permeable area included in the first module and has a geometric structure corresponding to the external antenna to provide insertion of the external antenna.

2. The external antenna kit according to claim 1, further comprising one of the following: The antenna slot further includes a slot body, and the slot body has a geometric structure corresponding to the external antenna to provide insertion of the external antenna; The first module further includes a first housing and a second housing; and The slot body is attached to and formed on the first housing or the second housing.

3. The external antenna kit according to claim 2, wherein the width and height of the slot body are defined by a plurality of longitudinal reinforcing ribs and a plurality of transverse reinforcing ribs included in the second housing.

4. The external antenna kit according to claim 2, wherein the depth of the slot body is defined by a plurality of longitudinal reinforcing ribs or a plurality of transverse reinforcing ribs included in the second housing.

5. The external antenna kit according to claim 2, wherein the geometric structure of the slot body is flat or flattened and is closely arranged with the first housing or the second housing.

6. The external antenna kit according to claim 1, further comprising one of the following: The second module further includes a first cover body, and the first cover body forms the second electromagnetic shielding area; and The antenna slot further includes an opening, and the opening includes a retracted structure.

7. The external antenna kit according to claim 6, wherein after the external antenna is inserted into the antenna slot, a part of the antenna structure included in the external antenna is exposed from the retracted structure.

8. The external antenna kit according to claim 1, further comprising one of the following: A snap-fastening link module, which includes a snap-fastening mechanism and a fastening mechanism to physically link the first module and the second module: The first module includes a single transmission line and a single internal transmission connector; and The second module includes a single internal communication connector electrically connected to the single internal transmission connector to unify the internal communication interface between the first module and the second module and form an integrated communication connection.

9. The external antenna kit according to claim 1, wherein the external antenna is a Wi-Fi antenna, a Bluetooth antenna, an LTE antenna or a Sub-G antenna.

10. The external antenna kit according to claim 1, wherein the second module further includes a communication module, and the communication module is electrically connected to the external antenna through a signal line.

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