Conformal antenna and smart speaker

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of electronic equipment discloses a conformal antenna and intelligent sound box. The conformal antenna includes mainboard, insulating mounting spare and a plurality of uniformly distributed setting fixing spare. The mainboard includes the substrate, the insulating mounting spare sets up in one side of the substrate, the fixing spare is worn in the substrate and is connected fixedly with the insulating mounting spare, one of a plurality of fixing spare is configured as the radiator of monopole antenna, the radiator is connected in an insulating mode to the substrate, and the radiator is electrically connected to the chip of mainboard. The conformal antenna can take into account the antenna performance, and zero cost, does not occupy any effective PCB board space, and is convenient for production assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electronic equipment technology, and in particular to a conformal antenna and a smart speaker. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of technology and society, the audio industry is undergoing unprecedented changes. With the widespread use of internet-connected consumer products such as mobile phones and computers, consumers are demanding greater portability and flexibility from audio products. One of the most important requirements is that audio equipment can connect to internet-connected devices like mobile phones and computers and enable wireless audio transmission. Generally, smart speakers use antennas to receive and transmit wireless signals to achieve connectivity and communication with the internet. The design and performance of the antenna directly affect the stability, transmission distance, and speed of the communication connection, ultimately impacting the user experience. The cost of the antenna also affects the cost of the audio product, thus influencing the overall competitiveness of the audio product.

[0003] Currently, there are three main types of antennas used in smart speakers. One type is an external antenna consisting of an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) cable, coaxial cable, and connector. Its disadvantages include relatively high cost due to the coaxial cable and connector, and increased labor costs on the production line due to the complexity of the speaker's structure. Another type is an onboard antenna printed on the motherboard. Its disadvantages include occupying valuable PCB layout space, having a low profile due to being on the same plane as the motherboard, being highly susceptible to interference from metal components on the motherboard, having poor antenna roundness in the horizontal direction, and weak signal strength at certain angles, affecting user experience. The third type is an onboard antenna consisting of a metal spring and a plastic bracket. Its disadvantages include relatively high cost due to the plastic bracket, and it also occupies PCB layout space.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a conformal antenna and a smart speaker to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] One objective of this invention is to provide a conformal antenna that can balance antenna performance, is cost-free, does not occupy any effective PCB layout space, and is easy to manufacture and assemble.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] Conformal antennas, including:

[0008] Motherboard, including the circuit board;

[0009] An insulating mounting element is disposed on one side of the substrate;

[0010] Multiple evenly distributed fixing members are provided, which pass through the substrate and are fixedly connected to the insulating mounting member. One of the multiple fixing members is configured as a radiator of a monopole antenna. The radiator is insulatedly connected to the substrate and electrically connected to a chip on the motherboard.

[0011] Optionally, the substrate has a plurality of fixing holes, and the insulating mounting member has a plurality of fixing seats corresponding to the plurality of fixing holes one by one. The fixing members are respectively inserted through the fixing holes and fixedly connected to the corresponding fixing seats.

[0012] Optionally, the fixing seat has a threaded hole, and the fixing member has an external threaded portion, which is threadedly connected to the threaded hole.

[0013] Optionally, the substrate has a clearance area, and the clearance area has a fixing hole for mounting the radiator.

[0014] Optionally, a metal ring is embedded in the fixing hole located in the clearance area, the radiator can pass through the metal ring and the large end of the radiator abuts against the metal ring so that the two are electrically connected, and the metal ring is electrically connected to the chip of the motherboard.

[0015] Optionally, the metal ring is an exposed copper metal ring, with at least one side of the metal ring away from the insulating mounting member having exposed copper.

[0016] Optionally, it also includes a microstrip line disposed on the substrate, with both ends of the microstrip line connected to the metal ring and the chip of the main board, respectively, for feeding the radiator, so that the microstrip line, the metal ring and the radiator are combined to form a monopole antenna.

[0017] Optionally, the side of the metal ring away from the insulating mounting member is higher than the side of the substrate away from the insulating mounting member.

[0018] Optionally, the length of the radiator is adjustable to adjust the resonant frequency of the monopole antenna.

[0019] Another objective of this invention is to provide a smart speaker, including the conformal antenna described in any of the above-mentioned solutions.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0021] This invention provides a conformal antenna in which any one of a plurality of fixing components used to secure the motherboard and insulating mounting components serves as the radiator of a monopole antenna. This radiator is electrically connected to a chip on the motherboard to feed power to it, enabling the radiator to radiate electromagnetic waves under this power, thus achieving electromagnetic wave transmission and reception. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to add to or alter existing structures, reducing costs, does not occupy valuable motherboard layout space, facilitates assembly and production, and achieves its own antenna performance, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of electronic devices using this conformal antenna.

[0022] This utility model also provides a smart speaker, including the above-mentioned conformal antenna. By using this conformal antenna, the manufacturing cost is low, the space utilization rate is high, and it does not occupy effective motherboard layout space. It is also convenient for assembly and production, thus improving its competitiveness. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is an isometric view of the conformal antenna provided in a specific embodiment of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the conformal antenna provided in a specific embodiment of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the antenna return loss performance of the conformal antenna provided in a specific embodiment of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 5 This is an antenna efficiency performance diagram of the conformal antenna provided in a specific embodiment of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 6 This is an antenna gain performance diagram of the conformal antenna provided in a specific embodiment of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 7 This is the horizontal radiation pattern of the conformal antenna with theta=90° provided in a specific embodiment of this utility model;

[0030] Figure 8 This is the vertical plane radiation pattern of the conformal antenna with phi=0° provided in a specific embodiment of this utility model;

[0031] Figure 9 This is the vertical plane radiation pattern of the conformal antenna with phi=90° provided in a specific embodiment of this utility model.

[0032] In the picture:

[0033] 11. Substrate; 111. Clearance area; 101. Mounting hole;

[0034] 20. Insulating mounting component; 21. Fixing base; 211. Threaded hole;

[0035] 30. Fastener; 31. Large end; 32. External threaded part;

[0036] 40. Radiator; 50. Metal ring; 60. Microstrip line. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, not the entire structure.

[0038] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," "fixed," and "abutting" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0039] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0040] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," and "left," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0041] The following reference Figures 1 to 9This invention introduces the conformal antenna and smart speaker provided by this utility model.

[0042] This embodiment provides a conformal antenna for use in electronic devices to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves.

[0043] It should be noted that the conformal antenna in this embodiment is used on a smart speaker.

[0044] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 Specifically, the conformal antenna includes a main board, an insulating mounting member 20, and a plurality of evenly distributed fixing members 30. The main board includes a substrate 11; the insulating mounting member 20 is disposed on one side of the substrate 11; the fixing members 30 pass through the substrate 11 and are fixedly connected to the insulating mounting member 20, and one of the plurality of fixing members 30 is configured as a radiator 40 of a monopole antenna, the radiator 40 being insulatedly connected to the substrate 11 and electrically connected to a chip on the main board.

[0045] In this embodiment, the conformal antenna uses any one of the multiple fixing members 30 used to fix the motherboard and the insulating mounting member 20 as the radiator 40 of the monopole antenna. The radiator 40 is electrically connected to the chip on the motherboard to feed power to it, allowing it to radiate electromagnetic waves under the feeding action, thus achieving electromagnetic wave transmission and reception. This approach eliminates the need to add to or modify the existing structure, reducing costs, does not occupy valuable motherboard layout space, facilitates assembly and production, and also achieves its own antenna performance, thereby improving the competitiveness of electronic devices using this conformal antenna.

[0046] Furthermore, using this conformal antenna also improves its performance. For example... Figure 4 As shown, it can be seen that the antenna impedance matching is good within the preset frequency range (i.e., 2.4GHz-2.5GHz) in terms of antenna return loss, meeting the preset matching interval. Figure 5 As shown, it can be seen that the antenna efficiency is relatively high within the preset frequency range. Figure 6 As shown, the signal concentration is relatively low in the antenna gain direction, meeting the preset requirements. Figures 7 to 9 As shown, the radiation patterns on each side of the antenna all meet the preset requirements.

[0047] Specifically, the substrate 11 has multiple fixing holes 101, the insulating mounting member 20 has multiple fixing seats 21 corresponding to the multiple fixing holes 101, and the fixing members 30 are respectively inserted through the fixing holes 101 and fixedly connected to the corresponding fixing seats 21, so as to realize the fixed connection between the substrate 11 and the insulating mounting member 20.

[0048] More specifically, the mounting base 21 has a threaded hole 211, and the fixing member 30 has an external threaded part 32. The external threaded part 32 is threadedly connected to the threaded hole 211. The fixing between the substrate 11 and the insulating mounting member 20 can be achieved by tightening the connection between the internal thread of the threaded hole 211 and the external threaded part 32 of the fixing member 30.

[0049] Optionally, the threaded hole 211 is a through hole. This design allows the fastener 30 to be inserted and fixed to the fixing seat 21, ensuring the connection between the two without limiting the length of the fastener 30.

[0050] Specifically, the fastener 30 also includes a large end 31, which is disposed on one side of the external thread portion 32, and the diameter of the large end 31 is larger than the diameter of the external thread portion 32. In use, the external thread portion 32 passes through the fixing hole 101 and the threaded hole 211 for threaded connection until the large end 31 abuts against the base plate 11, thereby realizing the tightening connection between the base plate 11 and the insulating mounting member 20.

[0051] Of course, in other embodiments, the fixing method between the fixing base 21 and the fixing member 30 can also be other, which can be set according to actual needs, and is not specifically limited here. For example, in other embodiments, the fixing base 21 is provided with a fixing connection hole, and the fixing member 30 is a screw with self-tapping threads. The two can also be fixedly connected by cooperation.

[0052] Optionally, the insulating mounting component 20 is a structure used to fix the motherboard and to insulate it from the outside. It can be the housing of the electronic device or a fixing structure inside the electronic device.

[0053] Please continue to refer to Figures 1 to 3 In this embodiment, the motherboard includes a substrate 11 and a chip. The substrate 11 is the basic circuit board of the motherboard, providing a basic platform for circuit connections. The chip is fabricated onto the substrate 11 using SMT (Surface Mount Technology) assembly technology. As a core component of the motherboard, it is responsible for coordinating the operation of hardware such as the CPU and memory, and also provides power. The specific structures are all existing technologies and will not be described in detail here.

[0054] Optionally, the substrate 11 has a clearance area 111, and the clearance area 111 has a fixing hole 101 for mounting the radiator 40. The clearance area 111 is a reserved area for isolating the monopole antenna and the main board. It is the substrate 11 itself and has no metal layer to isolate the radiator 40 of the monopole antenna from the ground on the substrate 11, that is, to isolate the radiator 40 from the zero potential point on the substrate 11, so as to avoid direct contact between the two and short circuit.

[0055] Optionally, the impedance of the radiator 40 can also be adjusted by changing the size of the clearance region 111; that is, the larger the clearance region 111, the higher the impedance matching degree. Generally, the larger the clearance region 111, the closer the impedance is to the standard value of 50Ω, and the better the resonance performance.

[0056] Optionally, the length of the radiator 40 is adjustable to regulate the resonant frequency of the monopole antenna. Since the threaded hole 211 is a through hole, it is only necessary to ensure a threaded connection between the radiator 40 and the threaded hole 211. Its length can be adaptively changed while ensuring this threaded connection, thereby adjusting the resonant frequency of the monopole antenna. Specifically, fasteners 30 of different lengths can be used as the radiator 40, and can be replaced according to actual needs to achieve adjustment of the resonant frequency of the monopole antenna.

[0057] Furthermore, a metal ring 50 is embedded in the fixing hole 101 located in the clearance area 111. The radiator 40 can pass through the metal ring 50, and the large end 31 of the radiator 40 abuts against the metal ring 50, so that the two are electrically connected. The metal ring 50 is electrically connected to the chip on the motherboard. By setting the metal ring 50, not only is the structural strength of the motherboard connection point increased when the radiator 40 acts as a fixing member 30 to fix the motherboard to the insulating mounting member 20, preventing cracking, but it also serves as a connector for the electrical connection between the radiator 40 and the chip on the motherboard, thereby enabling power supply to the metal ring 50 and the radiator 40. Of course, the hole in the metal ring 50 can also serve as a mounting hole for the radiator 40 to pass through. In use, when the radiator 40 passes through the mounting hole in the metal ring 50 and is tightened to the threaded hole 211 of the fixing base 21, the large end 31 of the radiator 40 abuts against the metal ring 50, thereby achieving the electrical connection between the two.

[0058] Optionally, the metal ring 50 is an exposed copper metal ring. Normally, the metal ring 50 is provided with a solder resist layer, which affects the electrical connection between the metal ring 50 and the radiator 40. However, by using an exposed copper metal ring, its metal part can be exposed, thereby achieving an electrical connection with the radiator 40.

[0059] Alternatively, at least one side of the metal ring 50 away from the insulating mounting member 20 may have exposed copper, so that electrical connection can be achieved when the large end 31 of the radiator 40 comes into contact with the metal ring 50.

[0060] Optionally, the side of the metal ring 50 away from the insulating mounting member 20 is higher than the side of the substrate 11 away from the insulating mounting member 20. This arrangement ensures that when the radiator 40 tightens and fixes the substrate 11 and the insulating mounting member 20, the side of the metal ring 50 that abuts against its large end 31 is the side of the metal ring 50 away from the insulating mounting member 20, thereby ensuring the connection stability between the radiator 40 and the metal ring 50 to guarantee stable electrical output.

[0061] Furthermore, the conformal antenna also includes a microstrip line 60, which is disposed on the substrate 11. The two ends of the microstrip line 60 are connected to the metal ring 50 and a chip on the main board, respectively, for feeding the radiator 40, so that the microstrip line 60, metal ring 50, and radiator 40 combine to form a monopole antenna. By using the microstrip line 60 for connection, there is no need for additional coaxial cables, connectors, or other devices, nor for additional wiring, soldering, or assembly processes, reducing component costs and soldering labor costs, while ensuring reliable electrical connections.

[0062] It is understandable that the figure only shows a schematic of the microstrip line 60. Since one end of the microstrip line 60 is connected to the metal ring 50 and the other end is connected to the chip, the specific structure of the microstrip line 60 is not shown. However, the structure of the microstrip line 60 is a common electrical connection line in the motherboard structure and can be directly used in this embodiment, so it will not be described in detail here.

[0063] This embodiment also provides a smart speaker, which includes a conformal antenna provided by any of the above-described solutions. It incorporates the beneficial effects of all the aforementioned conformal antenna solutions. Specifically, by using this conformal antenna, manufacturing costs are low, space utilization is high, and it does not occupy effective motherboard layout space, thus facilitating assembly and production and improving its competitiveness.

[0064] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "some embodiments," "other embodiments," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0065] Obviously, the above embodiments of this utility model are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present utility model, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present utility model. Those skilled in the art can make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the protection scope of this utility model. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A conformal antenna, characterized in that, include: Motherboard, including substrate (11); An insulating mounting element (20) is disposed on one side of the substrate (11); Multiple evenly distributed fixing members (30) are provided, the fixing members (30) are inserted through the substrate (11) and fixedly connected to the insulating mounting member (20), one of the multiple fixing members (30) is configured as a radiator (40) of a monopole antenna, the radiator (40) is insulatedly connected to the substrate (11) and the radiator (40) is electrically connected to the chip of the motherboard.

2. The conformal antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The substrate (11) has a plurality of fixing holes (101), and the insulating mounting component (20) has a plurality of fixing seats (21) corresponding to the plurality of fixing holes (101). The fixing component (30) passes through the fixing holes (101) one by one and is fixedly connected to the corresponding fixing seat (21).

3. The conformal antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fixing base (21) has a threaded hole (211), and the fixing member (30) has an external thread (32), which is threadedly connected to the threaded hole (211).

4. The conformal antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that, The substrate (11) has a clearance area (111) and a fixing hole (101) is provided in the clearance area (111) for mounting the radiator (40).

5. The conformal antenna according to claim 4, characterized in that, A metal ring (50) is embedded in the fixing hole (101) located in the clearance area (111). The radiator (40) can pass through the metal ring (50) and the large end (31) of the radiator (40) abuts against the metal ring (50) so that the two are electrically connected. The metal ring (50) is electrically connected to the chip of the motherboard.

6. The conformal antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that, The metal ring (50) is an exposed copper metal ring (50), with at least one side of the metal ring (50) away from the insulating mounting member (20) having exposed copper.

7. The conformal antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a microstrip line (60), which is disposed on the substrate (11). The two ends of the microstrip line (60) are respectively connected to the metal ring (50) and the chip of the main board, and are used to feed the radiator (40) so that the microstrip line (60), the metal ring (50) and the radiator (40) are combined to form a monopole antenna.

8. The conformal antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that, The side of the metal ring (50) away from the insulating mounting member (20) is higher than the side of the substrate (11) away from the insulating mounting member (20).

9. The conformal antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that, The length of the radiator (40) is adjustable to adjust the resonant frequency of the monopole antenna.

10. A smart speaker, characterized in that, Includes the conformal antenna as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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