WLAN antenna structure and microcomputer

Abstract

This utility model discloses a WLAN antenna structure and a microcomputer, relating to the field of antenna technology. The WLAN antenna structure includes an antenna unit, which includes a dielectric substrate, an antenna ground plane, and radiating stubs. The radiating stubs are connected to the antenna ground plane, and the radiating stubs and the antenna ground plane are located on the same side of the dielectric substrate. The antenna unit is disposed in the microcomputer with the motherboard spaced apart and isolated from each other, and is connected by a feed line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to a WLAN antenna structure and a microcomputer. Background Technology

[0002] Modern office environments are inseparable from computers. In recent years, the demand for mobile office work among professionals has been increasing. However, common desktop computers are bulky and heavy, making them unsuitable for portability and flexible work environments. Lightweight laptops are usually expensive and have limited performance, while tablets are more geared towards entertainment. The market urgently needs a smart device that balances performance, portability, and cost, and microcomputers have emerged to meet this need.

[0003] Unlike laptops and tablets that prioritize thinness and lightness, microcomputers tend to stack components to make better use of vertical space in order to achieve a smaller size. This results in a higher component density inside the microcomputer, and the distance between stray interference sources on the motherboard and the antenna is closer. This reduces the receiving sensitivity of the entire radio frequency system, thus affecting the wireless communication performance. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main purpose of this invention is to propose a WLAN antenna structure and a microcomputer, which aims to reduce the interference of the motherboard in the microcomputer to the antenna and ensure the communication effect of the antenna.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a WLAN antenna structure, including an antenna unit. The antenna unit includes a dielectric substrate, an antenna ground plane, and radiating branches. The radiating branches are connected to the antenna ground plane. The radiating branches and the antenna ground plane are located on the same side of the dielectric substrate. The antenna unit is disposed in a microcomputer with the motherboard spaced apart and isolated from it, and is connected by a feed line.

[0006] In one embodiment, the WLAN antenna structure further includes a reflector disposed between the motherboard and the antenna unit, which shields the antenna unit. A reflective surface is formed on the side of the reflector facing the antenna unit to reflect the energy of the antenna unit.

[0007] In one embodiment, the WLAN antenna structure further includes a first support member and a second support member, the antenna unit is connected to the first support member, the reflector is connected to the second support member, and the first support portion and the second support plate are stacked and bonded to form an integral structure.

[0008] In one embodiment, the antenna element is bent around the first support member, the reflector is around the second support member, and the reflector is bent along the side close to the antenna element to form a retaining edge.

[0009] In one embodiment, both the first support member and the second support member are block-shaped insulating foam.

[0010] In one embodiment, the WLAN antenna structure further includes a mounting shell having a receiving groove, wherein the first support member and the second support member are engaged in the receiving groove.

[0011] This utility model also proposes a microcomputer, which includes the WLAN antenna structure, housing and motherboard described above. The housing has a first end and a second end, the motherboard is disposed in the mounting cavity of the first end, and the second end has a mounting groove, and the WLAN antenna structure is fitted in the mounting groove.

[0012] In one embodiment, both the WLAN antenna structure and the mounting slot include two, with one WLAN antenna structure being fitted into one of the mounting slots.

[0013] In one embodiment, the two WLAN antenna structures are the same or different in size.

[0014] In one embodiment, the housing / the second end of the housing is made of metal to achieve signal isolation between the two WLAN antenna structures.

[0015] This invention proposes a WLAN antenna structure, including an antenna unit isolated from the motherboard. The antenna unit comprises a dielectric substrate, an antenna ground plane, and radiating stubs. The radiating stubs are connected to the antenna ground plane, and both are located on the same side of the dielectric substrate. This design allows for compact integration of the WLAN antenna structure into a microcomputer. The WLAN antenna unit is isolated from the motherboard and connected via a feed line. This isolation design effectively reduces electromagnetic interference between the antenna and the motherboard, ensuring stable signal reception and transmission. The feed line connection ensures efficient signal transmission while avoiding signal loss during transmission. The dielectric substrate provides physical support and also helps ensure the antenna's electrical performance, such as resonant frequency and bandwidth. The antenna ground plane, as part of the signal reflection, works in conjunction with the radiating stubs to enhance the antenna's radiation efficiency. Overall, this structural design optimizes space utilization, reduces motherboard interference to the antenna, and ensures normal antenna operation, making it suitable for various electronic devices, especially in space-constrained devices such as microcomputers. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the unfolded structure of an embodiment of the antenna unit provided by this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 An exploded view of the WLAN antenna structure provided by this utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 An exploded structural diagram of the microcomputer provided by this utility model;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the actual test results of the port reflection coefficient of the main antenna in this utility model;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the actual test results of the port reflection coefficient of the diversity antenna in this utility model.

[0022] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0023] 100. Microcomputer; 10. WLAN antenna structure; 1. Antenna unit; 11. Dielectric substrate; 12. Antenna ground plane; 13. Radiating branch; 2. Reflector; 21. Reflecting surface; 3. First support member; 4. Second support member; 5. Mounting shell; 20. Housing; 201. Mounting slot; 30. Motherboard; 40. Base plate; 50. Cover plate.

[0024] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0026] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0027] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0028] Modern office environments are inseparable from computers. In recent years, the demand for mobile office work among professionals has been increasing. However, common desktop computers are bulky and heavy, making them unsuitable for portability and flexible work environments. Lightweight laptops are usually expensive and have limited performance, while tablets are more geared towards entertainment. The market urgently needs a smart device that balances performance, portability, and cost, and microcomputers have emerged to meet this need.

[0029] Unlike laptops and tablets that prioritize thinness and lightness, microcomputers tend to stack components to make better use of vertical space in order to achieve a smaller size. This results in a higher component density inside the microcomputer, and the distance between stray interference sources on the motherboard and the antenna is closer. This reduces the receiving sensitivity of the entire radio frequency system, thus affecting the wireless communication performance.

[0030] To solve the above problems, this utility model proposes a WLAN antenna structure 10, including an antenna unit 1. The antenna unit 1 includes a dielectric substrate 11, an antenna ground plane 12, and a radiating branch 13. The radiating branch 13 is connected to the antenna ground plane 12. The radiating branch 13 and the antenna ground plane 12 are located on the same side of the dielectric substrate 11. The antenna unit 1 and the motherboard 30 are spaced apart and isolated from each other in the microcomputer 100 and are connected by a feeder.

[0031] This invention proposes a WLAN antenna structure 10, including an antenna unit 1 isolated from the motherboard 30. The antenna unit 1 includes a dielectric substrate 11, an antenna ground plane 12, and radiating stubs 13. The radiating stubs 13 are connected to the antenna ground plane 12, and both are located on the same side of the dielectric substrate 11. This design allows the WLAN antenna structure 10 to be compactly integrated into a microcomputer 100. The WLAN antenna unit 1 is isolated from the motherboard 30 and connected via a feed line. This isolation design effectively reduces electromagnetic interference between the antenna and the motherboard 30, ensuring stable signal reception and transmission. The feed line connection ensures efficient signal transmission while avoiding signal loss during transmission. The dielectric substrate 11 provides physical support and also helps ensure the antenna's electrical performance, such as resonant frequency and bandwidth. The antenna ground plane 12, as part of the signal reflection, works in conjunction with the radiating stubs 13 to enhance the antenna's radiation efficiency. Overall, this structural design optimizes space utilization while ensuring antenna performance, reduces interference from the motherboard 30 to the antenna, and ensures the normal operation of the antenna, making it suitable for use in various electronic devices, especially in devices with limited space such as the microcomputer 100.

[0032] In an optional embodiment, to further improve the isolation effect of the WLAN antenna structure 10, the WLAN antenna structure 10 also includes a reflector 2. The reflector 2 is disposed between the motherboard 30 and the antenna unit 1, and blocks the antenna unit 1. A reflective surface 21 is formed on the side of the reflector 2 facing the antenna unit 1, and the reflective surface 21 is used to reflect the energy of the antenna unit 1. This reflective design can effectively enhance the radiation directivity of the WLAN antenna structure 10, concentrating more energy in a specific direction, thereby improving the antenna gain. At the same time, the presence of the reflector 2 further isolates the antenna unit 1 from the motherboard 30, reduces electromagnetic interference, and improves the stability and reliability of the WLAN antenna structure 10. The shape and material of the reflective surface 21 have a direct impact on the reflection effect. Usually, a material with good conductivity is selected to make the reflective surface 21 to ensure reflection efficiency. In this embodiment, the reflector 2 is made of copper, and the surface of the reflective surface 21 is relatively smooth, which can improve the reflection effect of the reflective surface 21 on the radiated signal of the antenna unit 1.

[0033] In an optional embodiment, to facilitate the installation and connection of the antenna unit 1 and the reflector 2, the WLAN antenna structure 10 further includes a first support member 3 and a second support member 4. The antenna unit 1 is connected to the first support member 3, and the reflector 2 is connected to the second support member 4. A support portion and the second support plate are stacked and bonded to form an integral structure. This support design not only provides stable physical support for the antenna unit 1 and the reflector 2, but also enhances the integrity and stability of the WLAN antenna structure 10 through stacking and bonding. The material selection and size design of the first support member 3 and the second support member 4 can be specifically selected according to factors such as the weight of the antenna unit 1, the working environment, and electromagnetic compatibility. In this embodiment, the first support member 3 and the second support member 4 are made of block-shaped insulating foam. The insulating foam has good conductivity and elasticity, which can effectively shield electromagnetic interference and provide stable support for the antenna unit 1 and the reflector 2. The conductivity of the insulating foam enables it to form a good electrical connection with the antenna unit 1 and the reflector 2, further enhancing the electromagnetic shielding effect. In addition, the elastic properties of the insulating foam can absorb a certain amount of mechanical vibration and impact, protecting the WLAN antenna structure 10 from the influence of external physical factors and helping to improve the stability of the WLAN antenna structure 10.

[0034] In an optional embodiment, the antenna element 1 is bent and covers the first support member 3, and the reflector 2 covers the second support member 4, with the reflector 2 bent along the side closest to the antenna element 1 to form a baffle. The bending and covering of the antenna element 1 around the first support member 3 effectively protects the antenna element 1 from external physical damage and also helps optimize the antenna's radiation characteristics. The baffle, formed by bending the reflector 2 around the second support member 4, further enhances the reflection effect, reflecting more energy back to the antenna's radiation direction, thereby improving the antenna's gain. Furthermore, the baffle also provides some shielding, reducing electromagnetic coupling between the antenna element 1 and the surrounding environment, and improving the anti-interference capability of the WLAN antenna structure 10.

[0035] In an optional embodiment, to facilitate the overall installation of the WLAN antenna structure 10, the WLAN antenna structure 10 further includes a mounting shell 5. The mounting shell 5 has a receiving groove, in which the first support member 3 and the second support member 4 are engaged. The design of the mounting shell 5 not only provides additional protection for the WLAN antenna structure 10 but also ensures the precise installation and fixation of the WLAN antenna structure 10 in the device. The design of the receiving groove matches the size and shape of the first support member 3 and the second support member 4 to ensure the stability and reliability of the engagement connection. Specifically, the mounting shell 5 can be a plastic shell or a metal shell. By placing the WLAN antenna structure 10 as a whole in the mounting shell 5, when modularly installing the WLAN antenna structure 10 onto the microcomputer 100, it is only necessary to connect and install the mounting shell 5 as a whole and then connect the feeder cable, which improves the convenience of installation and facilitates the subsequent overall disassembly and maintenance of the WLAN antenna structure 10.

[0036] This utility model also proposes a microcomputer 100, which includes a WLAN antenna structure 10, a housing 20, and a motherboard 30. The housing 20 has a first end and a second end, respectively. The motherboard 30 is disposed in a mounting cavity at the first end, and a mounting groove 201 is formed at the second end. The WLAN antenna structure 10 is fitted into the mounting groove 201. The specific structure of the WLAN antenna structure 10 is as described in the above embodiments. Since this microcomputer 100 adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be elaborated here. Integrating the antenna structure into the housing 20 of the microcomputer 100 not only saves space but also improves the installation efficiency and stability of the WLAN antenna structure 10. The design of the housing 20 helps to optimize the antenna layout and directivity to ensure that the WLAN antenna structure 10 can effectively receive and transmit signals. The isolation design between the motherboard 30 and the antenna can reduce electromagnetic interference and improve the stability and reliability of the entire system. In addition, the material and structural design of the housing 20 also have an important impact on the performance of the antenna.

[0037] Optionally, the second end of the housing 20 is made of metal to achieve signal isolation between the two WLAN antenna structures 10. The metal housing 20 can effectively shield electromagnetic interference, providing a relatively independent electromagnetic environment for the WLAN antenna structure 10, thereby improving signal stability and reliability. Signal isolation is particularly important for multi-antenna systems, especially in MIMO applications. Good isolation can reduce the mutual coupling effect between the WLAN antenna structures 10 and improve the overall system performance. The metal material of the housing 20 can improve its shielding effectiveness. Furthermore, the metal housing 20 can also provide a certain degree of mechanical strength and heat dissipation performance, further improving the durability and stability of the microcomputer 100. In this embodiment, the entire housing 20 is made of metal, while the top cover of the housing 20 is made of plastic. This allows the shielding effect of the metal housing to be reduced in one direction for the WLAN antenna structure 10, and helps improve the directivity of the WLAN antenna structure 10. The housing 20 around the two mounting slots 201 is made of metal, improving the isolation between the two WLAN antenna structures 10 and between the WLAN antenna structure 10 and the motherboard 30, thus helping to improve the receiving sensitivity of the WLAN antenna structure 10.

[0038] In an optional embodiment, both the WLAN antenna structure 10 and the mounting slot 201 include two units, with one WLAN antenna structure 10 mounted in one mounting slot 201. This dual-antenna design enables spatial diversity, improving signal reception and transmission performance, especially in multipath propagation environments, effectively reducing the impact of signal fading. The independent mounting and layout of the two antenna structures optimizes antenna directivity and coverage, while also enhancing the system's anti-interference capability. The mounting slot 201 design ensures that each WLAN antenna structure 10 can be stably mounted within it, and the spaced arrangement of the two WLAN antenna structures 10 avoids mutual interference and achieves optimal signal transmission. Furthermore, the dual-antenna design can support MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) technology, further improving data transmission rates and system capacity.

[0039] In an optional embodiment, the two WLAN antenna structures 10 may have the same or different dimensions. This design flexibility allows the antenna structure to adapt to different application requirements and device layouts. When the two antenna structures are the same size, symmetrical signal coverage and uniform gain distribution can be achieved, suitable for symmetrically laid-out devices and application scenarios. When the dimensions are different, the performance of each antenna can be optimized according to the specific structure and signal requirements of the device, with the two WLAN antenna structures 10 serving as the main antenna and diversity antenna, respectively. The main antenna acts as the primary signal receiving and transmitting unit, responsible for communication with remote devices. It has high gain and directivity, enabling effective signal reception and transmission. The diversity antenna is used to receive signals from different paths. Through diversity reception techniques (such as spatial diversity, frequency diversity, polarization diversity, etc.), multipath fading and interference of the signal can be effectively reduced. By receiving multiple independent signal copies and combining them at the receiving end (such as maximum ratio combining, equal gain combining, etc.), the stability and reliability of the signal can be significantly improved. This not only optimizes and improves the signal radiation range of the WLAN antenna structure 10, but also helps to improve the overall anti-interference capability of the WLAN antenna structure 10. Especially in a microcomputer 100 with limited space, better signal isolation and performance optimization can be achieved by rationally designing the size and layout of the WLAN antenna structure 10.

[0040] The following is a detailed description of an embodiment of the microcomputer 100 and its internal WLAN antenna structure 10 in this solution:

[0041] Figure 1 This is a top view of the antenna element 1 in its deployed state as proposed in this scheme. The antenna element 1 includes a radiating stub 13, a dielectric substrate 11, and an antenna ground plane 12. Both the radiating stub 13 and the antenna ground plane 12 are made of metal and are printed on the upper surface of the dielectric substrate 11. In addition, the radiating stub 13 and the antenna ground plane 12 are covered with solder resist material to prevent them from contacting the metal housing 20 and causing a short circuit. The radiating stub 13 is shaped like a U-shaped folded stub, with a feed point on the lower side of the stub. In the WiFi 2.4G band, the antenna operates in loop antenna mode, and in the WiFi 5G band, the antenna operates in monopole antenna and slot antenna modes.

[0042] Figure 2The installation steps of the WLAN antenna structure 10 designed in this paper include a first support member 3, a reflector 2, and a second support member 4. The antenna unit 1 is bent and arranged to cover the periphery of the first support member 3, and the reflector 2 is covered to the periphery of the first support member 3. The reflector 2 is bent towards the side closer to the antenna unit 1 to form a retaining edge, which further improves the isolation effect on the antenna unit 1. The side of the reflector 2 facing the antenna unit 1 has a relatively smooth and flat reflective surface 21. The reflective surface 21 can reflect the radiation energy of the antenna in the rear direction and improve the radiation efficiency of the antenna. In addition, compared with directly using the microcomputer 100 housing 20 for reflection, the molding difficulty of processing a smooth surface on the reflector 2 is undoubtedly lower. That is to say, this helps to reduce the difficulty and convenience of processing and molding, and helps to ensure the stability of the electromagnetic wave radiation direction and phase after reflection. Specifically, in this embodiment, the reflector 2 is a dielectric substrate 11. The reflective surface 21 is formed by printing copper foil on the dielectric substrate 11. In other embodiments, a similar effect can be achieved by processing a metal structure such as a copper plate or aluminum plate as a whole into the reflector 2. The specific choice can be made according to actual needs. By connecting the antenna unit 1 to the first support 3, connecting the reflector 2 to the second support 4, and stacking the first support 3 and the second support 4 vertically and bonding them together as a whole, in this embodiment, both the first support 3 and the second support 4 are block-shaped insulating foams. The WLAN antenna structure 10 after bonding also presents a block structure, which facilitates the overall installation of the WLAN antenna structure 10.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the WLAN antenna structure 10 within the microcomputer 100 in this solution. The microcomputer includes a housing 20, a motherboard 30, and the WLAN antenna structure 10. The housing 20 has a first end and a second end opposite to each other along the vertical direction. The motherboard 30 is installed in a mounting cavity in the lower first end, and a mounting slot 201 is formed in the upper second end. The WLAN antenna structure 10 is snapped into the mounting slot 201. In this embodiment, there are two WLAN antenna structures 10, one large and one small, which are spaced apart and serve as a main antenna and a diversity antenna, respectively, to improve the signal radiation range and overall anti-interference capability of the WLAN antenna structure 10. During installation, after the main antenna and diversity antenna are assembled, they are installed in the mounting slot 201, and wires exit from the pre-drilled holes in the mounting slot 201 and connect to the RF module of the motherboard 30. Please refer to... Figure 3In this embodiment, the base plate 40 below the housing 20 and the motherboard 30 is made of metal, while the cover plate 50 above the two WLAN antenna structures 10 is made of plastic. This ensures that the sides and bottom of the WLAN antenna structures 10 are made of metal, providing good isolation between the two WLAN antenna structures 10 and between the WLAN antenna structures 10 and the motherboard 30. This improves the overall channel fading resistance of the antenna diversity system. The WLAN antenna structures 10 and the motherboard 30 are connected only via a feed line, significantly reducing interference signals generated by the motherboard 30 and ensuring good receiving sensitivity of the antenna. The protective cover plate 50 on top of the WLAN antenna structures 10 is made of plastic, which reduces signal shielding and helps improve antenna directivity, ensuring the strength of the radiated signal.

[0044] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The figures shown are the actual test results of the reflection coefficients at the ports of the main antenna and diversity antenna in this scheme. Figure 3 The larger WLAN antenna structure 10 on the right is the main antenna, while the smaller WLAN antenna structure 10 on the left is the diversity antenna. The -10dB impedance bandwidths of the two frequency bands are 2.40~2.52GHz and 4.91~7.24GHz, respectively, which can completely cover the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz frequency bands of WiFi1~WiFi7. This achieves the expansion of the antenna bandwidth under the condition of being enclosed in a metal shell 20 and having a small antenna installation space.

[0045] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the technical concept of the present utility model and the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A WLAN antenna structure, characterized in that, The device includes an antenna unit, a reflector, a first support member, and a second support member. The antenna unit is connected to the first support member, and the reflector is connected to the second support member. The first and second support members are stacked and bonded together as a single structure. The antenna unit includes a dielectric substrate, an antenna ground plane, and radiating branches. The radiating branches are connected to the antenna ground plane, and the radiating branches and the antenna ground plane are located on the same side of the dielectric substrate. The antenna unit is disposed within the microcomputer, spaced apart from and isolated from the motherboard, and connected via a feed line. The reflector is located between the motherboard and the antenna unit, and shields the antenna unit. A reflective surface is formed on the side of the reflector facing the antenna unit to reflect the energy of the antenna unit.

2. The WLAN antenna structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The antenna element is bent and covers the first support member, the reflector covers the second support member, and the reflector is bent along the side close to the antenna element to form a retaining edge.

3. The WLAN antenna structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first support member and the second support member are block-shaped insulating foam.

4. The WLAN antenna structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The WLAN antenna structure also includes a mounting shell, which has a receiving groove, and the first support member and the second support member are engaged in the receiving groove.

5. A microcomputer, characterized in that, Including the WLAN antenna structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, and case; The motherboard has a housing with a first end and a second end, the motherboard is disposed in the mounting cavity of the first end, the second end has a mounting groove, and the WLAN antenna structure is fitted in the mounting groove.

6. The microcomputer as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Both the WLAN antenna structure and the mounting slot include two, with one WLAN antenna structure being installed in one of the mounting slots.

7. The microcomputer as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The two WLAN antenna structures described have the same / different dimensions.

8. The microcomputer as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The housing / the second end of the housing is made of metal to enable signal isolation between the two WLAN antenna structures.

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