Flexible circuit board and electronic equipment

Abstract

The utility model provides a flexible circuit board and electronic equipment, the flexible circuit board is provided with a metal plate and a plurality of coupled metal links, the plurality of metal links are arranged at intervals along a first direction, one metal link is connected with the metal plate, and the other metal link is connected with the metal plate. Each metal link is bent and is provided with an opening in one side of a second direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. According to the flexible circuit board and the electronic equipment provided by the invention, the metal plate and the plurality of metal links arranged at intervals in the first direction are arranged, so that the plurality of metal links generate an effective coupling effect, the wiring length and the effective current path of the flexible circuit board are increased, the flexible circuit board can generate a current in the same direction as an antenna of the electronic equipment, and the antenna stability of the electronic equipment is improved. The radiation performance and the radiation efficiency of the antenna of the electronic equipment are improved by using the effective current path of the flexible circuit board and the parasitic coupling principle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a flexible circuit board and electronic equipment. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of communication technology, users have an increasing demand for signal strength from mobile phones and other electronic devices. Currently, domestic operators cover the 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G frequency bands that users need daily. However, in many scenarios such as subways and high-speed trains, users have a stronger demand for 4G frequency band signal performance. In addition, due to the increasing demand for thinner and more functional electronic devices, the stacking environment of mobile phone antennas is becoming more and more extreme, and the clearance is even more limited. For example, mid- and high-frequency bands are commonly used. Due to the influence of the antenna clearance environment and the body radiation length, the corresponding frequency band bandwidth is relatively narrow, resulting in low antenna radiation efficiency and poor performance. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of this, the present application provides a flexible circuit board and an electronic device, which can improve the performance of the antenna of the electronic device.

[0004] Specifically, the following technical solutions are included:

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a flexible circuit board, which is provided with a metal plate and a plurality of coupled metal links, wherein the plurality of metal links are arranged at intervals along a first direction, and one of the metal links is connected to the metal plate, each of the metal links is bent and has an opening on one side of a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0006] In an optional embodiment, each of the metal links includes a first section, a second section and a third section, the first section and the second section are arranged in parallel and spaced apart, and two ends of the third section are respectively connected to the first section and the second section.

[0007] In an optional embodiment, the distance between any two adjacent metal links is equal to the ring width of the metal link.

[0008] In a second aspect, the present application provides an electronic device, comprising a border antenna and a flexible circuit board provided by any embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the flexible circuit board is located on one side of the border antenna in the second direction, and the flexible circuit board extends along the first direction and is parallel to the border antenna.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, the opening of each metal link of the flexible circuit board is located on a side away from the frame antenna.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the length of the flexible circuit board in the first direction is greater than the length of the border antenna in the first direction, and the vertical points of both ends of the border antenna in the extension direction of the flexible circuit board are located on the flexible circuit board.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the perimeter of each metal link of the flexible circuit board is 1 / 8λ, where λ is the wavelength corresponding to the border antenna in the first frequency band.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the first frequency band is the MHB frequency band.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the distance between the flexible circuit board and the frame antenna in the second direction is 1 / 10λ.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the perimeter of the metal plate of the flexible circuit board is greater than nλ, where n is a positive integer.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, the frame antenna is an inverted-F antenna.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application include at least: by providing a metal plate and a plurality of metal links spaced apart along a first direction, the plurality of metal links produce an effective coupling effect, thereby increasing the routing length and effective current path of the flexible circuit board, enabling the flexible circuit board to generate a current in the same direction as the antenna of the electronic device, and utilizing the effective current path and parasitic coupling principle of the flexible circuit board to improve the radiation performance and radiation efficiency of the antenna of the electronic device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly of a flexible circuit board and a frame antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an effective current path of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 3 A comparison diagram of the S11 of the border antenna in the electronic device provided in the embodiment of the present application and the S11 of the border antenna in the electronic device in the prior art;

[0021] Figure 4This is a comparison chart of the efficiency of the border antenna in the electronic device provided in the embodiment of the present application and the efficiency of the border antenna in the electronic device in the prior art.

[0022] The reference numerals in the figures represent:

[0023] 1-flexible circuit board; 11-metal plate; 12-metal link; 121-opening; 122-first section; 123-second section; 124-third section;

[0024] 2-frame antenna; 21-grounding point; 22-feeding point; 23-break.

[0025] The above drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the present application, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and the textual description are not intended to limit the scope of the present application in any way, but rather to illustrate the concepts of the present application to those skilled in the art by reference to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0027] The directional nouns involved in the embodiments of this application, such as "upper", "lower", "side", etc., are generally expressed in the form of Figure 1 The relative relationships shown in the figure are used as a reference, and these directional terms are used only to more clearly describe the relationship between structures, not to describe absolute directions. When the product is placed in different postures, the direction may change, for example, "up" and "down" may be interchangeable.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used in the examples of this application have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art. Some technical terms that appear in the examples of this application are explained below.

[0029] In order to make the technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the implementation methods of the present application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] With the continuous development of communication technology, users have an increasing demand for signal strength from mobile phones and other electronic devices. Currently, domestic operators cover the 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G frequency bands that users need daily. However, in many scenarios such as subways and high-speed trains, users have a stronger demand for 4G frequency band signal performance. In addition, due to the increasing demand for thinner and more functional electronic devices, the stacking environment of mobile phone antennas is becoming more and more extreme, and the clearance is even more limited. For example, mid- and high-frequency bands are commonly used. Due to the influence of the antenna clearance environment and the body radiation length, the corresponding frequency band bandwidth is relatively narrow, resulting in low antenna radiation efficiency and poor performance.

[0031] In response to the above technical problems, embodiments of the present application provide a flexible circuit board 1 and an electronic device.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the flexible circuit board 1 provided in the embodiment of the present application is provided with a metal plate 11 and a plurality of coupled metal links 12, wherein the plurality of metal links 12 are arranged at intervals along the first direction Y, and one of the metal links 12 is connected to the metal plate 11, and each metal link 12 is bent and has an opening 121 on one side of the second direction X, wherein the first direction Y is perpendicular to the second direction X, for example Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vertical direction is the first direction Y, and the horizontal direction is the second direction X.

[0033] The number of metal links 12 is at least two, for example Figure 1 As shown, three metal links 12 are spaced apart along the first direction Y. By providing openings 121 on the metal links 12, effective coupling can be generated between the multiple metal links 12, wherein the multiple metal links 12 are coupled, i.e., electrically connected in an air-spaced / non-contact manner, thereby forming an effective current path.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, metal plate 11 has an irregular square-circular structure. When the flexible circuit board 1 is installed in an electronic device, it needs to be grounded. Specifically, "ground" refers to at least a portion of any ground layer, ground plate, or ground metal layer within the electronic device, or at least a portion of any combination of any of the above. "Ground" can be used to ground components within the electronic device. Metal plate 11 is made of conductive metal.

[0035] For example, when the flexible circuit board 1 is installed in an electronic device, the flexible circuit board 1 is located on one side of the border antenna 2 in the second direction X. Since the metal link 12 is bent, the physical length and current path length of the metal link 12 are both improved. When the border antenna 2 radiates, the metal link 12 generates a circular current, and the flexible circuit board 1 can generate a main current in the same direction as the current of the border antenna 2, thereby improving the radiation performance of the border antenna 2 at the corresponding frequency through the principle of parasitic coupling.

[0036] For example, when the flexible circuit board 1 is installed in the electronic device, the opening 121 of the metal link 12 is located on the side away from the frame antenna 2, for example Figure 1 As shown, the flexible circuit board 1 is located on the left side of the frame antenna 2 , and the opening 121 of each metal link 12 is located on the left side of the metal link 12 .

[0037] The flexible circuit board 1 provided in the embodiment of the present application, by providing a metal plate 11 and a plurality of metal links 12 spaced apart along a first direction Y, enables the plurality of metal links 12 to produce an effective coupling effect, thereby increasing the routing length and effective current path of the flexible circuit board 1, enabling the flexible circuit board 1 to generate a current in the same direction as the antenna of the electronic device, and utilizing the effective current path and parasitic coupling principle of the flexible circuit board 1 to improve the radiation performance and radiation efficiency of the antenna of the electronic device.

[0038] The shape of the metal link 12 can be a polygonal ring such as a triangle, rectangle, pentagon, or a similar ring such as a circle or ellipse.

[0039] For example, Figure 1 As shown, each metal link 12 includes a first section 122 , a second section 123 and a third section 124 . The first section 122 and the second section 123 are arranged in parallel and spaced apart. Both ends of the third section 124 are connected to the first section 122 and the second section 123 respectively.

[0040] Specifically, the metal link 12 is roughly in the shape of a rectangular ring, the first section 122 and the second section 123 both extend along the second direction X, and the first section 122 and the second section 123 are arranged in parallel and spaced apart in the first direction Y, the third section 124 extends along the first direction Y, and the two ends of the third section 124 are respectively connected to the end of the first section 122 and the end of the second section 123, so that the metal link 12 is bent in a "コ" shape.

[0041] Exemplarily, the linear dimensions of the metal link 12 in the second direction X and in the first direction Y are both 5 mm, the opening 121 between the first section 122 and the second section 123 is 1 mm in size, and the metal link 12 is generally in a square ring shape.

[0042] In this embodiment, the metal link 12 is in a rectangular ring shape and has a bent structure, such as Figure 2 As shown, when the frame antenna 2 radiates, the metal link 12 generates a circular current, and the flexible circuit board 1 can generate a main current with the same direction as the current of the frame antenna 2, thereby improving the radiation performance of the frame antenna 2 at the corresponding frequency through the parasitic coupling principle.

[0043] In a specific embodiment, the distance between any two adjacent metal links 12 is equal to the ring width of the metal link 12. It is understood that the ring width of the metal link 12 is used to represent the thickness of the metal link 12. For example, the ring width of the metal link 12 is used to represent the thickness of the first segment 122, the second segment 123, and the third segment 124.

[0044] For example, the distance between any two adjacent metal links 12 is 1 mm, and the loop width of the metal link 12 is 1 mm.

[0045] This arrangement ensures that effective coupling occurs between the multiple metal links 12, thereby forming an effective current path that can improve the radiation performance of the electronic device antenna.

[0046] An embodiment of the present application also provides an electronic device, which includes a border antenna 2 and a flexible circuit board 1 provided in any of the above embodiments. The flexible circuit board 1 is located on one side of the border antenna 2 in the second direction X, and the flexible circuit board 1 extends along the first direction Y and is parallel to the border antenna 2.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, the frame antenna 2 is arranged in the frame area of ​​the electronic device, and the flexible circuit board 1 is adjacent to the frame antenna 2. The flexible circuit board 1 can generate an effective current in the same direction when the frame antenna 2 radiates, thereby utilizing the parasitic coupling principle to increase the radiation efficiency of the frame antenna 2.

[0048] The electronic device can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, smart wearable device, smart home device, car-mounted device, etc., and this application does not make specific limitations.

[0049] Exemplarily, the flexible circuit board 1 is attached to a bracket inside the electronic device.

[0050] In the electronic device provided in the embodiment of the present application, the flexible circuit board 1 is arranged on one side of the border antenna 2 in the second direction X. Since the multiple metal links 12 of the flexible circuit board 1 can produce effective coupling, the routing length and effective current path of the flexible circuit board 1 are increased, so that the flexible circuit board 1 can generate an effective current in the same direction as the border antenna 2. The effective current path and parasitic coupling principle of the flexible circuit board 1 are utilized to improve the radiation performance and radiation efficiency of the border antenna 2.

[0051] In a further embodiment, the opening 121 of each metal link 12 of the flexible circuit board 1 is located on a side facing away from the frame antenna 2 .

[0052] like Figure 1 As shown, the flexible circuit board 1 is located on the left side of the frame antenna 2 , and the opening 121 of each metal link 12 is located on the left side of the metal link 12 .

[0053] By arranging the opening 121 of the metal link 12 to be located on the side away from the frame antenna 2 , a good radiation condition can be formed, which enables the flexible circuit board 1 to generate an effective current in the same direction as the frame antenna 2 .

[0054] Furthermore, the length of the flexible circuit board 1 in the first direction Y is greater than the length of the frame antenna 2 in the first direction Y, and the vertical points of both ends of the frame antenna 2 in the extension direction of the flexible circuit board 1 are both located on the flexible circuit board 1.

[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, both ends of the flexible circuit board 1 in the first direction Y extend beyond the same-side ends of the frame antenna 2 , that is, the vertical points of both ends of the frame antenna 2 in the extending direction of the flexible circuit board 1 are both located on the flexible circuit board 1 .

[0056] With this arrangement, the flexible circuit board 1 exceeds the feeding position of the frame antenna 2 , so that the flexible circuit board 1 generates a current in the same direction as the frame antenna 2 under coupling, thereby improving the radiation performance of the frame antenna 2 .

[0057] In one embodiment, the perimeter of the metal link 12 of the flexible circuit board 1 is 1 / 8λ, where λ is the wavelength corresponding to the frame antenna 2 in the first frequency band.

[0058] Optionally, the first frequency band is a low frequency band, a medium frequency band, a high frequency band, etc., which can be set according to actual needs, so as to improve the radiation performance of the frame antenna 2 in the corresponding frequency band.

[0059] Specifically, the circumference of the metal link 12 is the total length of the metal link 12. For example, when each metal link 12 includes a first segment 122, a second segment 123 and a third segment 124, the circumference of the metal link 12 is the sum of the lengths of the first segment 122, the second segment 123 and the third segment 124.

[0060] Through this setting, the effective current paths of the multiple metal links 12 meet 1 / 4λ, thereby achieving matching between the flexible circuit board 1 and the frame antenna 2.

[0061] In a further embodiment, the first frequency band is the MHB frequency band, ie, the middle high band (Middle High Band), and the frame antenna 2 is an MHB antenna.

[0062] Mid- and high-frequency bands are commonly used by suppliers. However, due to the influence of the antenna clearance environment and the radiation length of the body, the corresponding frequency band bandwidth is narrow, resulting in low antenna radiation efficiency. Therefore, in the existing extreme stacking MHB antenna environment, it is crucial to improve the efficiency of mid- and high-frequency antennas.

[0063] By setting the first frequency band to the MHB band, the flexible circuit board 1 can be used to improve the radiation performance and radiation efficiency of the frame antenna 2 when the frame antenna 2 operates in the MHB band, thereby improving the problem of narrow bandwidth and poor performance of the medium and high frequency frame antenna 2.

[0064] In one embodiment, the distance between the flexible circuit board 1 and the frame antenna 2 in the second direction X is 1 / 10λ.

[0065] Through this arrangement, the coupling effect between the flexible circuit board 1 and the frame antenna 2 is ensured, and the flexible circuit board 1 is able to improve the antenna radiation performance.

[0066] In one embodiment, the perimeter of the metal plate 11 of the flexible circuit board 1 is greater than nλ, where n is a positive integer.

[0067] Exemplarily, n is 1, 2, 3... and so on. Through this setting, when the border antenna 2 operates in the first frequency band, the effective current path in the metal plate 11 area satisfies 1 / 2λ, so that the effective current path of the flexible circuit board 1 matches the effective current path of the border antenna 2, and the flexible circuit board 1 generates a current in the same direction as the border antenna 2.

[0068] In one embodiment, the frame antenna 2 is an inverted F antenna (IFA).

[0069] like Figure 1 As shown, the frame antenna 2 has a grounding point 21, a feeding point 22 and a gap 23. For the frame antenna 2 working in the MHB frequency band, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, when the frame antenna 2 operates at 2.3 GHz, the operating mode of the frame antenna 2 includes two parts: a 1 / 2λ loop mode between the feed point 22 and the ground point 21, and a 1 / 4λ mode between the feed point 22 and the slit 23. Correspondingly, the effective current path of the upper half of the flexible circuit board 1 needs to meet 1 / 2λ, and the effective current path of the lower half of the flexible circuit board 1 needs to meet 1 / 4λ. As a result, the flexible circuit board 1 can generate current in the same direction as the frame antenna 2, thereby improving the radiation performance of the frame antenna 2. It can be understood that the upper half of the flexible circuit board 1 is the metal plate 11 and the metal link 12 connected thereto, and the lower half of the flexible circuit board 1 is the remaining metal links 12 spaced apart from the metal plate 11.

[0070] in, Figure 2 The black dot in the figure indicates the maximum current point, the black dot above indicates the maximum current point of the metal plate 11, the black dot below indicates the maximum current point of the frame antenna 2, and the light dot indicates the minimum current point of the metal plate 11. Figure 2 The arrows in the figure show the current flow direction in the flexible circuit board 1 and the frame antenna 2, wherein the solid arrow at the metal link 12 indicates the flow direction of the current generated by the coupling between the metal plate 11 and the frame antenna 2 at the metal link 12, and the dotted arrow at the metal link 12 indicates the flow direction of the current generated by the coupling between the metal links 12.

[0071] The electronic device provided in the embodiment of the present application has a flexible circuit board 1 disposed near the frame antenna 2. By increasing the length of the flexible circuit board 1, the effective current path is increased, thereby adjusting the desired resonant frequency and widening the S11 bandwidth of the frame antenna 2 by utilizing parasitic coupling. After actual testing, Figure 3 This is a comparison diagram of the S11 of the border antenna 2 in the electronic device provided in the present application and the S11 of the border antenna 2 in the electronic device in the prior art, wherein line a is the S11 of the border antenna 2 in the electronic device provided in the embodiment of the present application, and line b is the S11 of the border antenna 2 in the electronic device in the prior art. It can be seen that the electronic device provided in the embodiment of the present application has generated a new resonance point in the range of 1.8 GHz to 2.5 GHz, and the bandwidth has been significantly increased.

[0072] S11 is one of the S parameters, representing the reflection coefficient, which indicates the antenna's transmission efficiency. The S11 parameter is usually negative. A smaller S11 parameter indicates lower antenna return loss and less energy reflected from the antenna itself, meaning more energy actually enters the antenna and higher system efficiency. A larger S11 parameter indicates greater antenna return loss and lower system efficiency.

[0073] After actual testing, Figure 4 This figure compares the efficiency of the frame antenna 2 in the electronic device provided by the present invention with the efficiency of the frame antenna 2 in the electronic device provided by the prior art. Line c represents the efficiency of the frame antenna 2 in the electronic device provided by the present invention, and line d represents the efficiency of the frame antenna 2 in the electronic device provided by the prior art. It can be seen that between 1.8 GHz and 2.4 GHz, the efficiency of the frame antenna 2 in the electronic device provided by the present invention is significantly improved, with a maximum improvement of approximately 3 dB.

[0074] That is to say, the electronic device provided in the embodiment of the present application improves the radiation performance of the medium and high frequency frame antenna 2, and can improve the problem of narrow bandwidth and poor performance of the medium and high frequency frame antenna 2.

[0075] In this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. The term "plurality" refers to two or more than two, unless expressly limited otherwise.

[0076] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present invention after considering the specification and practicing the present invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present invention that follow the general principles of the present invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only.

[0077] It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the exact structures described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A flexible circuit board (1), characterized in that: The flexible circuit board (1) is provided with a metal plate (11) and a plurality of coupled metal links (12), wherein the plurality of metal links (12) are arranged at intervals along a first direction (Y), and one of the metal links (12) is connected to the metal plate (11), and each of the metal links (12) is bent and provided with an opening (121) on one side of a second direction (X), wherein the first direction (Y) is perpendicular to the second direction (X).

2. The flexible circuit board (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that Each of the metal links (12) comprises a first section (122), a second section (123) and a third section (124); the first section (122) and the second section (123) are arranged in parallel and spaced apart; and two ends of the third section (124) are respectively connected to the first section (122) and the second section (123).

3. The flexible circuit board (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The distance between any two adjacent metal links (12) is equal to the ring width of the metal link (12).

4. An electronic device, characterized in that: The electronic device comprises a frame antenna (2) and a flexible circuit board (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flexible circuit board (1) is located on one side of the frame antenna (2) in a second direction (X), and the flexible circuit board (1) extends along a first direction (Y) and is parallel to the frame antenna (2).

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, characterized in that The opening (121) of each metal link (12) of the flexible circuit board (1) is located on a side away from the frame antenna (2).

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, characterized in that The length of the flexible circuit board (1) in the first direction (Y) is greater than the length of the frame antenna (2) in the first direction (Y), and the vertical points of both ends of the frame antenna (2) in the extension direction of the flexible circuit board (1) are located on the flexible circuit board (1).

7. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein: The perimeter of each metal link (12) of the flexible circuit board (1) is 1 / 8λ, where λ is the wavelength corresponding to the frame antenna (2) in the first frequency band.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein: The first frequency band is the MHB frequency band.

9. The electronic device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The distance between the flexible circuit board (1) and the frame antenna (2) in the second direction (X) is 1 / 10λ.

10. The electronic device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The circumference of the metal plate (11) is greater than nλ, where n is a positive integer.

11. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein: The frame antenna (2) is an inverted F antenna.

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