Mobile terminal

Abstract

This application provides a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes a metal housing and a slot antenna. The metal housing includes a structural slot. The structural slot is a functional slot of the mobile terminal, and is configured to implement another function of the mobile terminal, rather than being prepared for disposing the slot antenna. The slot antenna includes at least one radiation slot, and the radiation slot is configured to radiate a signal. The radiation slot of the slot antenna faces the structural slot, and a radiation signal of the slot antenna is transmitted through the structural slot. This application does not require an additional opening on the metal housing. This helps improve an aesthetic appearance of the mobile terminal, reduce costs of the mobile terminal, and ensure high reliability of the metal housing. In addition, in this solution, an antenna may be disposed without adding a slot. Therefore, this helps increase specifications of the antenna in the mobile terminal, to increase functions of the antenna, and enrich a wireless communication function of the mobile terminal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202210746937.8, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on June 28, 2022 and entitled "MOBILE TERMINAL", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This application relates to the field of antenna apparatus technologies, and in particular, to a mobile terminal.BACKGROUND

[0003] To implement wireless communication, antennas usually need to be disposed on mobile terminals. As functions of the mobile terminals are becoming more abundant, specifications of the antennas are also gradually increasing. For example, currently, a mobile terminal needs to implement network connection through an antenna, and projection between devices, connections between devices and accessories, and the like also need to be implemented through antennas. When a plurality of functions are implemented through one antenna, it is likely to cause lag due to time-sharing operation. Therefore, in order to ensure user experience, an antenna may be added, to design independent antenna channels for different functions. However, the antenna is usually implemented with a radiation channel. To ensure radiation effect of the antenna, the radiation channel usually cannot be made of a shielding material such as metal.

[0004] However, in a conventional technology, a mobile terminal, such as a notebook computer, tends to use a metal material like aluminum alloy or magnesium alloy as a housing, to implement lightness and thinness of the entire machine while ensuring structural strength and good texture. The metal housing has a shielding function for a radio frequency signal. To implement antenna design, non-metallization usually needs to be performed on a part of the housing, for example, the housing needs to be partially non-metalized. This solution causes a cost increase in manufacturing of the housing. In addition, if an opening is provided in the housing, the additional opening exists in an appearance of the mobile terminal, reducing aesthetics of the appearance.SUMMARY

[0005] This application provides a mobile terminal, to simplify a housing structure of the mobile terminal, reduce manufacturing costs of the mobile terminal, and improve aesthetics of the mobile terminal.

[0006] According to a first aspect, this application provides a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes a metal housing and a slot antenna. The metal housing includes a structural slot. The structural slot is a functional slot of the mobile terminal, and is configured to implement another function of the mobile terminal, rather than being prepared for disposing the slot antenna. The slot antenna includes at least one radiation slot, and the radiation slot is configured to radiate a signal. The radiation slot of the slot antenna faces the structural slot, and a radiation signal of the slot antenna is transmitted through the structural slot. In this application, a radiation signal of an antenna is transmitted through the structural slot, so that no additional opening needs to be provided in the metal housing, which helps improve an aesthetic appearance of the mobile terminal. No additional opening is needed, so that an operation such as blocking an opening is not needed. This can reduce costs of the mobile terminal, and further ensure high reliability of the metal housing. In addition, in this solution, the antenna may be disposed without adding a slot. Therefore, this helps increase specifications of the antenna in the mobile terminal, to increase functions of the antenna, and enrich a wireless communication function of the mobile terminal.

[0007] In a specific technical solution, the structural slot may be an air duct slot, a sound-emitting slot, or a decorative slot. In other words, a specific form of the structural slot is not limited in this application.

[0008] In a technical solution, the slot antenna includes at least two radiation slots. A large quantity of radiation slots are provided in the slot antenna, and a plurality of radiation slots are cascaded, to increase radiation bandwidth of the slot antenna, and improve performance of the slot antenna.

[0009] A specific type of the slot antenna is not limited, for example, the slot antenna may be a cavity slot antenna or a plate slot antenna. Specifically, the type of the antenna may be designed according to an actual requirement.

[0010] When the slot antenna is a cavity slot antenna, the cavity slot antenna includes a cavity enclosed by a metal side wall, the radiation slot is formed in the cavity, and the metal side wall includes at least a part of the metal housing. This solution helps simplify a structure of the cavity slot antenna and reduce space occupied by the slot antenna.

[0011] Specifically, when the metal side wall is formed, the mobile terminal may include a metal baffle wall, the metal baffle wall is fastened to the metal housing, and the metal side wall includes the metal baffle wall. In this solution, the metal baffle wall and the metal housing are used in conjunction with a circuit board having a metal layer to form the cavity.

[0012] In a specific technical solution, the metal baffle wall and the metal housing are integrally formed. This solution can simplify a manufacturing process of the cavity slot antenna.

[0013] In addition, when the slot antenna is specifically disposed, a stub may be disposed in the radiation slot of the slot antenna, to improve signal transmission efficiency of the slot antenna.

[0014] When the radiation slot of the slot antenna is specifically disposed, an extension direction of the radiation slot may be parallel to an extension direction of the structural slot. This solution facilitates transmission of a radiation signal through the structural slot, to improve signal transmission efficiency of the antenna.

[0015] Specifically, an orthographic projection of the radiation slot onto a plane on which the structural slot is located may be completely located in the structural slot. In other words, the radiation slot entirely faces the structural slot. In this solution, a transmission path of a radiation signal can be shortened, which helps reduce a loss of a radiation signal and improve communication quality of the mobile terminal.

[0016] In a technical solution, the structural slot is covered with an insulation cover, to improve aesthetics of the housing of the mobile terminal. Specifically, the insulation cover may be a glass cover.

[0017] Specifically, the mobile terminal may further include an insulation baffle wall. The insulation baffle wall is disposed in the metal housing and faces the structural slot. Therefore, the insulation slot can be blocked. This solution can improve aesthetics and dust-proof effect of the mobile terminal.

[0018] In another technical solution, the structural slot of the metal housing may be filled with an insulation medium. This solution can improve dust-proof and moisture-proof performance of the mobile terminal.

[0019] When the metal housing is formed, the metal housing includes a first housing and a second housing, and the first housing interlocks the second housing. In this case, the structural slot may be located between the first housing and the second housing. In this solution, the structural slot may be directly formed in a joint between the first housing and the second housing.

[0020] A specific type of the mobile terminal in this application is not limited. In a specific technical solution, the mobile terminal is a notebook computer.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1a is a diagram of a structure of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 1b is a side view of a structure of a lid-closed mobile terminal according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a structure of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 3 is a partial diagram in a direction M of FIG. 1a; FIG. 4 is a partial diagram of a bottom of a housing D of a notebook computer in FIG. 1a; FIG. 5 is a diagram of a functional structure of an antenna apparatus according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 6 is a diagram of a structure of a slot antenna according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 7 is another diagram of a structure of a slot antenna according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 9 is a diagram of performance of a slot antenna according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 10 is another diagram of performance of a slot antenna according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 11 is a diagram of a structure of a slot antenna according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 12 is a diagram of alignment between a slot antenna and a structural slot according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 13 is another diagram of alignment between a slot antenna and a structural slot according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view of a structure of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 15 is a diagram of a structure of a metal housing according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 16 is another diagram of a structure of a metal housing according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 17 is another diagram of a structure of a metal housing according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 18 is another diagram of a structure of a metal housing according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 19 is another diagram of a structure of a metal housing according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 20 is another diagram of a structure of a metal housing according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 21 is another diagram of a structure of a metal housing according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 22 is a diagram of a front-side structure of a slot antenna according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 23 is a diagram of a rear-side structure of a slot antenna according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 24 is a diagram of a structure of a structural slot according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 25 is a diagram of performance of a slot antenna according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 26 is another diagram of a front-side structure of a slot antenna according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 27 is another diagram of a rear-side structure of a slot antenna according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 28 is another diagram of a structure of a structural slot according to an embodiment of this application; and FIG. 29 is another diagram of performance of a slot antenna according to an embodiment of this application. Reference numerals:

[0022] 01: screen side; 02: keyboard side; 1: metal housing; 11: structural slot; 12: first housing; 121: first bottom wall; 122: first side edge; 13: second housing; 131: second bottom wall; 132: second side edge; 14: metal baffle wall; 2: slot antenna; 21: radiation slot; 211: stub; 22: input / output line; 23: metal side wall; 3: insulation baffle wall; 4: circuit board; 41: metal layer. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following further describes this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Terms used in the following embodiments are merely intended to describe specific embodiments, but are not intended to limit this application. The terms "one", "a", "the", "the foregoing", "this", and "the one" of singular forms used in this specification and the appended claims of this application are also intended to include forms such as "one or more", unless otherwise specified in the context clearly.

[0025] Reference to "an embodiment", "a specific embodiment", or the like described in this specification means that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described with reference to embodiments. The terms "include", "comprise", "have", and their variants all mean "include but are not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in another manner.

[0026] For ease of understanding a mobile terminal provided in embodiments of this application, the following first describes application scenarios of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal in embodiments of this application can perform wireless communication, and an antenna is disposed in the mobile terminal. A metal housing is used as a housing of the mobile terminal to improve texture and structural strength of the mobile terminal. To overcome shielding effect of a metal housing on an antenna signal, non-metallization usually needs to be performed on the metal housing in a conventional technology. For example, an opening is provided in the metal housing, to form a non-metalized area, so that a signal can be transmitted in the non-metalized area. However, this solution causes a poor appearance of a mobile terminal. To improve appearance effect of the mobile terminal, a process such as nano-injection molding may be performed on the opening area to block the opening. However, costs of this solution are high, resulting in a cost increase in the mobile terminal. In addition, currently, the metal housing of the mobile terminal is usually made of a magnesium alloy material, and there is no reliable spraying process. Even if the nano-injection molding process is used to block the opening, a risk of paint peeling is high, and product reliability of the mobile terminal is low. In view of this, this application provides the mobile terminal to overcome the foregoing problems. The following lists specific embodiments to describe the technical solutions of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] A type of the mobile terminal in embodiments of this application is not limited. For example, the mobile terminal may be a notebook computer, or may be a terminal device such as a tablet computer or a mobile phone. Any mobile terminal that needs to use an antenna for communication whose housing is provided with a structural slot may be the mobile terminal in embodiments of this application. This is of great significance especially to a mobile terminal with an all-metal housing. In addition, as functions of mobile terminals are becoming more abundant, many mobile terminals use a multi-antenna design. For example, the mobile terminal may be provided with two antennas to implement communication with Wi-Fi 2x2 specifications; or the mobile terminal may be provided with four antennas to implement communication with Wi-Fi 4x4 specifications.

[0028] The following describes the technical solutions in embodiments of this application by using a notebook computer as the mobile terminal.

[0029] FIG. 1a is a diagram of a structure of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of this application. FIG. 1b is a side view of a structure of a lid-closed mobile terminal according to an embodiment of this application. Refer to FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b. The mobile terminal in this embodiment of this application may be a notebook computer, and the notebook computer includes a screen side 01 and a keyboard side 02 that may be connected via a hinge. A display is mounted on the screen side 01, and is configured to implement a display function of the notebook computer. The keyboard side 02 includes a metal housing 1. The screen side 01 of the notebook computer includes a housing A and a housing B. The housing B is a housing on a side on which the display of the notebook computer is located, and the housing A is a housing on a side facing away from the display of the notebook computer. The keyboard side 02 includes a housing C and a housing D. The housing C is a housing on a side on which a keyboard of the notebook computer is located, and the housing D is a housing on a side facing away from the keyboard of the notebook computer. The metal housing 1 may specifically refer to the housing C and the housing D. A structure (not shown in the figure) such as a circuit board, a loudspeaker, or a cooling fan may be disposed in the metal housing 1, and is configured to implement a main function of the notebook computer. Specifically, a chip may be disposed on the circuit board as a data processing module, the cooling fan may specifically dissipate heat for the chip, and the loudspeaker may be configured to play a sound of the mobile terminal.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a structure of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of this application. Refer to FIG. 2. An antenna may be further disposed in the metal housing 1, and the antenna includes at least one slot antenna 2. The slot antenna 2 may be configured to implement a wireless communication function of the mobile terminal. The metal housing 1 includes a structural slot 11. The structural slot 11 is a functional slot of the mobile terminal, and is configured to implement another function of the mobile terminal, rather than being prepared for disposing the slot antenna 2. The slot antenna 2 includes at least one radiation slot 21. The radiation slot 21 of the slot antenna 2 faces the structural slot 11 of the metal housing 1, so that a signal radiated by the slot antenna 2 may be transmitted through the structural slot 11 of the metal housing 1. It should be noted that, that "the radiation slot 21 of the slot antenna 2 faces the structural slot 11 of the metal housing 1" means that a radiation signal of the slot antenna 2 can be radiated through the structural slot 11, and does not necessarily mean structural facing.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a partial diagram in a direction M of FIG. 1a. FIG. 4 is a partial diagram of the bottom of the housing D of the notebook computer in FIG. 1a. Refer to FIG. 1a, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4. In a specific technical solution, the structural slot 11 of the metal housing 1 may be specifically at least one of an air duct slot, a sound-emitting slot, or a decorative slot of the mobile terminal. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the structural slot 11 is located at a side part of the mobile terminal, and the structural slot 11 may be specifically the sound-emitting slot. As shown in FIG. 4, the structural slot 11 is located at the bottom of the mobile terminal, and the structural slot 11 may be specifically the air duct slot. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the structural slot 11 may be located at the top of the mobile terminal, and is used as the decorative slot and / or the sound-emitting slot.

[0032] In a specific embodiment, the air duct slot is usually configured to form an air vent of a channel of cooling air used by the mobile terminal for heat dissipation. For example, the mobile terminal has a cooling fan, and the cooling fan is disposed in the metal housing 1. In this case, the air duct slot is located in an air duct of the cooling fan, so that air generated by the cooling fan can carry heat out of the mobile terminal. Specifically, the air duct slot may directly face the cooling fan. Similarly, the sound-emitting slot is configured to form a sound outlet of a channel used by the mobile terminal to transmit a sound. For example, the mobile terminal has a loudspeaker, and the loudspeaker is also disposed in the metal housing 1. In this case, the sound-emitting slot is located in a sound channel of the loudspeaker, that is, a path for transmitting a sound. Specifically, the sound-emitting slot may directly face the loudspeaker, so that a sound of the loudspeaker can be conveniently transmitted from the sound-emitting slot. The decorative slot is usually a slot designed for the mobile terminal to implement an appearance design such as aesthetic design or symmetry design of the mobile terminal. In addition, the structural slot 11 may be at least two of the air duct slot, the sound-emitting slot, and the decorative slot. In other words, a same group of structural slots 11 may implement at least two functions of ventilation, sound communication, and decoration. This is not limited in this application.

[0033] In this embodiment of this application, the metal housing 1 of the mobile terminal is already provided with the structural slot 11, and the radiation slot 21 of the slot antenna 2 faces the structural slot 11 of the metal housing 1, so that a radiation signal of the slot antenna 2 is transmitted through the structural slot 11. A radiation signal of the antenna is transmitted through the structural slot 11, so that no additional opening needs to be provided in the metal housing 1, which helps improve an aesthetic appearance of the mobile terminal. In addition, in this embodiment of this application, no additional opening is needed, so that an operation such as blocking the opening is not needed. This can reduce costs of the mobile terminal, and further ensure high reliability of the metal housing 1. In this solution, the antenna may be disposed without adding a slot. Therefore, this helps increase specifications of the antenna in the mobile terminal, to increase functions of the antenna, and enrich a wireless communication function of the mobile terminal.

[0034] In a specific embodiment, the antenna may be specifically configured to implement at least one of a network access function, a projection function, or a wireless device connection function of the mobile terminal. Specifically, the wireless device may be at least one of a mouse, a keyboard, a display, or the like. This is not limited in this application. In a specific embodiment, the antenna of the mobile terminal may include only the slot antenna 2, so that the foregoing functions can be implemented only by using the slot antenna 2. Certainly, a quantity of slot antennas 2 included in the antenna in the mobile terminal is not limited, and may be one, or may be two or more. In another specific embodiment, in addition to the slot antenna 2, the antenna of the mobile terminal may further include another antenna.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a functional structure of an antenna apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 5, the antenna apparatus includes a radio frequency chip. The radio frequency chip may be connected to a structure such as a chip of a mobile terminal, to implement signal transmission between the antenna apparatus and the chip of the mobile terminal. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the antenna apparatus includes the radio frequency chip, another antenna, and a slot antenna 2. The another antenna and the slot antenna 2 are separately connected to the radio frequency chip, to implement a communication function of the radio frequency chip. Refer to FIG. 5. The another antenna may be configured to implement a network access function of the mobile terminal, and the slot antenna 2 may be configured to implement a projection function and a wireless device connection function of the mobile terminal.

[0036] The slot antenna 2 in this embodiment of this application is an antenna formed by slotting on a surface of a conductor, and is also referred to as a slotted antenna. A typical shape of a radiation slot 21 is a strip with a length of approximately half a wavelength. Certainly, in another embodiment, the radiation slot 21 may be in any shape, for example, may be in a curve shape or an irregular shape. The radiation slot 21 may be fed by a transmission line that is connected across narrow sides of the radiation slot 21, or by a waveguide or a resonant cavity. In this case, a radio frequency electromagnetic field is excited on the slot, and an electromagnetic wave is radiated to space. The slot antenna 2 features a low profile, a good flat-mounting structure, and is easy to conform to a mounting object, and therefore is referred to as a "paper-thin" antenna. It is easy for the slot antenna 2 to control amplitude distribution within an antenna aperture, and the slot antenna 2 has high aperture utilization, a small size, and a light weight, so that a low or extremely low side lobe can be implemented. In addition, the slot antenna 2 further has advantages of a strong, simple, and compact structure, easy processing, cost-effectiveness, convenient feeding, simple installation, concealability, decorability, and the like. In a specific embodiment, a specific type of the slot antenna 2 is not limited. For example, the slot antenna 2 may be a plate slot antenna or a cavity slot antenna.

[0037] In a specific embodiment, the slot antenna 2 in this embodiment of this application may be a cavity slot antenna 2, or may be referred to as a waveguide slot antenna 2. The cavity slot antenna 2 is formed by slotting on a resonant cavity that is formed on a metal layer, and is fed by the resonant cavity. The cavity slot antenna 2 has a low loss, and has advantages of high radiation efficiency and stable performance, and the like. This helps improve communication performance of the mobile terminal.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a structure of a slot antenna according to an embodiment of this application. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a cavity slot antenna 2 includes a cavity enclosed by a metal side wall 23, and a radiation slot 21 is formed in the cavity. In a specific technical solution, a manner of forming the cavity slot antenna 2 is not limited. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a bracket may be used to form the cavity of the cavity slot antenna 2. Specifically, the bracket is a bracket made of an insulation material, and a metal layer is prepared on each surface of the bracket. The metal layer is the metal side wall 23. In this way, the cavity is formed, and the radiation slot 21 is formed by using a process such as etching. In a specific embodiment, a shape of the cavity of the cavity slot antenna 2 is not limited. Specifically, the cavity may be prepared based on actual mounting space. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the cavity slot antenna 2 is of a special-shaped structure, and is consistent with a shape of edge space of the mobile terminal.

[0039] FIG. 7 is another diagram of a structure of a slot antenna according to an embodiment of this application. FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, a metal side wall 23 of the cavity slot antenna 2 includes at least a part of a metal housing 1. In other words, a part of a structure of the metal housing 1 may be used as the metal side wall 23 of the cavity slot antenna 2. This solution helps simplify a structure of the cavity slot antenna 2, and reduce space occupied by the slot antenna 2.

[0040] Still refer to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The mobile terminal further includes a metal baffle wall 14. The metal baffle wall 14 is fastened to the metal housing 1, and the metal baffle wall 14 may also be used as the metal side wall 23 of the cavity slot antenna 2. In a direction in which there are no metal baffle wall 14 and metal housing 1, a circuit board 4 with a metal layer 41 may be disposed, and the metal layer 41 is used as the metal side wall 23 of the cavity slot antenna 2, thereby forming the cavity slot antenna 2 with a radiation slot 21.

[0041] In a specific technical solution, the metal baffle wall 14 and the metal housing 1 are of an integrally formed structure, so that a manufacturing process of the cavity slot antenna 2 may be simplified.

[0042] Still refer to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. In this embodiment of this application, a stub 211 may be disposed in the radiation slot 21, and the stub 211 can improve signal transmission efficiency of the slot antenna 2. In a specific embodiment, the stub 211 may be connected to a feed point, and is configured to implement feeding. Alternatively, the stub 211 may be configured to resonate a signal. Certainly, the stub 211 may be configured to implement feeding, and may be further configured to resonate a signal.

[0043] FIG. 9 is a diagram of performance of a slot antenna according to an embodiment of this application. FIG. 10 is another diagram of performance of a slot antenna according to an embodiment of this application. Specifically, FIG. 9 shows performance of the slot antenna in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 10 shows performance of the slot antenna in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7. A dashed line indicates a return loss of the slot antenna 2, and a solid line indicates efficiency of the slot antenna 2. It can be learned that the slot antenna 2 has good performance, and can meet broadband coverage of 5 GHz of the mobile terminal.

[0044] In a specific technical solution, a quantity of radiation slots 21 included in the slot antenna 2 is not limited. The slot antenna 2 may include one radiation slot 21 or at least two radiation slots 21. FIG. 11 is a diagram of a structure of a slot antenna 2 according to an embodiment of this application. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the slot antenna includes one radiation slot 21. FIG. 12 is a diagram of alignment between a slot antenna 2 and a structural slot according to an embodiment of this application. (a) in FIG. 12 is a diagram of a structural slot of a mobile terminal, and (b) in FIG. 12 is a diagram of a structure of a slot antenna. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the slot antenna includes two radiation slots 21. FIG. 13 is another diagram of alignment between a slot antenna 2 and a structural slot according to an embodiment of this application. (a) in FIG. 13 is a diagram of a structural slot of a mobile terminal, and (b) in FIG. 13 is a diagram of a structure of a slot antenna. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the slot antenna includes three radiation slots 21. A quantity of radiation slots 21 may be set according to an actual requirement. With development of technologies, mobile terminals tend to become lighter and thinner. Therefore, the cavity slot antenna 2 in the mobile terminal tends to become lighter and thinner. In view of this, a thickness of the cavity is reduced, and resonance is relatively narrow. Therefore, the cavity slot antenna 2 is designed to be thinner and larger in area by exchanging height for area, a large quantity of radiation slots 21 are designed, and a plurality of radiation slots 21 are cascaded, to increase radiation bandwidth of the slot antenna 2 and improve performance of the slot antenna 2.

[0045] Still refer to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. Specifically, when the slot antenna 2 is disposed, an extension direction of the radiation slot 21 of the slot antenna 2 may be parallel to an extension direction of the structural slot 11, so that a radiation signal can be conveniently transmitted through the structural slot 11, thereby improving signal transmission efficiency of the slot antenna 2. Certainly, in another embodiment, for coordination with an arrangement of another structure, an extension direction of the radiation slot 21 of the slot antenna 2 may intersect with an extension direction of the structural slot 11, and signal transmission may also be performed.

[0046] In addition, still refer to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. When the slot antenna 2 includes at least two radiation slots 21, the radiation slots 21 may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to an extension direction of the radiation slots 21, as shown in FIG. 12. Alternatively, the radiation slots 21 may be sequentially arranged in an extension direction of the radiation slots 21, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0047] In a further embodiment, with reference to FIG. 13, orthographic projections of the radiation slots 21 of the slot antenna 2 onto a plane on which the structural slot 11 is located may be completely located in the structural slot 11. In other words, the radiation slots 21 and the structural slot 11 directly face each other, as shown in FIG. 13. In this solution, a transmission path of a radiation signal can be shortened, which helps reduce a loss of a radiation signal and improve communication quality of the mobile terminal. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the radiation slot 21 and the structural slot 11 may not directly face each other, and may be offset by a specific displacement, provided that the structural slot 11 can be utilized to transmit a radiation signal of the slot antenna 2.

[0048] In a specific embodiment, an insulation cover may be covered on the structural slot 11 of the mobile terminal, without affecting signal transmission quality. For example, the insulation cover may be glass. For example, in a specific embodiment, when the mobile terminal has a structure such as a display, the mobile terminal may have a glass cover. In this case, the structural slot 11 may be disposed in an area covered by the glass cover. For example, the structural slot 11 may be further configured to transmit light of an indicator. For example, the indicator faces the structural slot 11.

[0049] FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view of a structure of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of this application. Refer to FIG. 14. In an embodiment, an insulation baffle wall 3 may be further disposed in the mobile terminal. The insulation baffle wall 3 is disposed in the metal housing 1 and faces the structural slot 11, to block the insulation slot. This solution can improve aesthetics and dust-proof effect of the mobile terminal. In addition, it can be further ensured that the structural slot 11 functions as an air duct slot to discharge air, or the structural slot 11 functions as a sound-emitting slot to emit a sound.

[0050] In another embodiment, the structural slot 11 may be filled with an insulation medium. The insulation medium may be a transparent material, or may be an opaque material. This is not limited in this application, provided that the insulation medium has no shielding effect on a radiation signal of an antenna. The insulation medium in this solution has no impact on a signal radiation capability of the antenna, and can improve dust-proof and moisture-proof performance of the mobile terminal.

[0051] Specifically, the mobile terminal in this embodiment of this application may have an all-metal housing, that is, each of the housing C and the housing D is a housing made of a metal material. Certainly, a mobile terminal with a non-all-metal housing may also use the technical solution in this embodiment of this application to dispose an antenna.

[0052] In a specific embodiment, a specific manner of forming the metal housing 1 is not limited. In an embodiment, the metal housing 1 may be an integrally formed structure. Alternatively, in another embodiment, refer to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a structure of a metal housing according to an embodiment of this application. The metal housing 1 may include a first housing 12 and a second housing 13. The first housing 12 interlocks the second housing 13 to form the metal housing 1. Specifically, the first housing 12 may be referred to as a housing C, and the second housing 13 may be referred to as a housing D. In this solution, the first housing 12 and the second housing 13 may be connected in at least one manner such as clamping, bonding, or threaded connection. In this solution, it is convenient to dispose a part or a component in the metal housing 1, which helps simplify an assembly process of the mobile terminal.

[0053] When the metal housing 1 includes the first housing 12 and the second housing 13, the structural slot 11 may be located between the first housing 12 and the second housing 13, and the structural slot 11 is directly formed in a joint between the first housing 12 and the second housing 13. Alternatively, the structural slot 11 may be further located in the first housing 12 or the second housing 13.

[0054] For example, the mobile terminal is a notebook computer. The first housing 12 is a housing on a side on which a keyboard of the notebook computer is located, and the second housing 13 is a housing on a side facing away from the keyboard. The second housing 13 may be understood as a bottom housing. It may be considered that the first housing 12 includes a first bottom wall 121 and a first side edge 122 connected to an edge of the first bottom wall 121, where a specified angle is formed between the first side edge 122 and the first bottom wall 121, and the specified angle is at least less than 180°. Similarly, the second housing 13 includes a second bottom wall 131 and a second side edge 132 connected to an edge of the second bottom wall 131.

[0055] In a specific embodiment, the structural slot 11 may be located between the first housing 12 and the second housing 13. In this case, the structural slot 11 is usually located on a side or a side corner of the notebook computer. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, a size of the first side edge 122 is greater than a size of the second side edge 132. In this case, a slot between the first housing 12 and the second housing 13 is located at a side corner close to the bottom of the notebook computer, so that the structural slot 11 is located at the side corner close to the bottom of the notebook computer. As shown in FIG. 16, a size of the first side edge 122 is less than a size of the second side edge 132. In this case, a slot between the first housing 12 and the second housing 13 is located at a side corner away from the bottom of the notebook computer, so that the structural slot 11 is located at the side corner away from the bottom of the notebook computer. As shown in FIG. 17, a size of the first side edge 122 is close to a size of the second side edge 132. In this case, a slot between the first housing 12 and the second housing 13 is located on a side of the notebook computer, so that the structural slot 11 is located on the side of the notebook computer.

[0056] Alternatively, in another embodiment, the structural slot 11 may be located in the first housing 12 or the second housing 13. As shown in FIG. 18, the structural slot 11 is located on the first bottom wall 121 of the first housing 12, so that the structural slot 11 is specifically located on a keyboard side. As shown in FIG. 19, a size of the first side edge 122 is greater than a size of the second side edge 132, and the structural slot 11 is located on the first side edge 122 of the first housing 12, that is, the structural slot 11 is located on a side of the notebook computer. It should be noted that the first side edge 122 may be of a planar structure, a slope structure, or an arcuate structure, which may be specifically determined based on an actual product. This is not limited in this application. The first side edge 122 is, for example, of an arcuate structure. In this case, the structural slot 11 located on the first side edge 122 is located on a side that is of the notebook computer and that faces a top surface, closer to a side corner of the notebook computer away from the bottom, and is not completely located on the side.

[0057] Similarly, the structural slot 11 may alternatively be located in the second housing 13. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20, the structural slot 11 may be located on the second bottom wall 131 of the second housing 13, so that the structural slot 11 is specifically located at the bottom of the notebook computer. As shown in FIG. 21, a size of the first side edge 122 is less than a size of the second side edge 132, and the structural slot 11 is located on the second side edge 132 of the second housing 13, that is, the structural slot 11 is located on a side of the notebook computer. Similarly, the second side edge 132 may be of a planar structure, a slope structure, or an arcuate structure, which may be specifically determined based on an actual product. This is not limited in this application. For example, the second side edge 132 is of an arcuate structure. The structural slot 11 located on the second side edge 132 is located on a side that is of the notebook computer and that faces a bottom surface, closer to a side corner of the notebook computer close to the bottom, and is not completely located on the side.

[0058] In the foregoing embodiments, when the structural slot 11 is located on a side or a side corner of the notebook computer, the radiation slot 21 of the slot antenna 2 may be located in an area close to an edge of the slot antenna 2. In this case, a distance between the radiation slot 21 and the structural slot 11 is relatively short, which helps shorten a path of a radiation signal of the slot antenna 2 and improve communication performance of the slot antenna 2 of the mobile terminal.

[0059] It should be noted that the dashed line in FIG. 15 to FIG. 21 indicates a slot between the first housing 12 and the second housing 13.

[0060] The following lists two specific application embodiments to analyze performance of an antenna. FIG. 22 is a diagram of a front-side structure of a slot antenna 2 according to an embodiment of this application. FIG. 23 is a diagram of a rear-side structure of a slot antenna 2 according to an embodiment of this application. Refer to FIG. 22 and FIG. 23. The slot antenna 2 is a cavity slot antenna 2, and there are two radiation slots 21 on a front side of the slot antenna 2. The two radiation slots 21 are sequentially arranged in a direction perpendicular to an extension direction of the radiation slot 21, and the two radiation slots 21 are cascaded. Specifically, two resonance modes may be generated. The slot antenna 2 is adapted to face a structural slot 11 located on a first bottom wall 121 or a second bottom wall 131, for example, a structural slot 11 shown in FIG. 24. The slot antenna 2 has an input / output line 22 on a rear side for transmitting a signal. The antenna may be used in narrow space with a height of 4 mm, which helps implement lightness and thinness of a mobile terminal. FIG. 25 is a diagram of performance of a slot antenna 2 according to an embodiment of this application. Refer to FIG. 25. A dashed line indicates a return loss of the slot antenna 2, and a solid line indicates efficiency of the slot antenna 2. It can be learned that the antenna has good performance, and can meet broadband coverage of 5 GHz of the mobile terminal.

[0061] FIG. 26 is another diagram of a front-side structure of a slot antenna 2 according to an embodiment of this application. FIG. 27 is another diagram of a rear-side structure of a slot antenna 2 according to an embodiment of this application. Refer to FIG. 26 and FIG. 27. The slot antenna 2 is a cavity slot antenna 2, and there are three radiation slots 21 on a front side of the slot antenna 2. The three radiation slots 21 are sequentially arranged in an extension direction of the radiation slot 21, and the three radiation slots 21 are cascaded. Specifically, three resonance modes may be generated. The slot antenna 2 is adapted to face a structural slot 11 located on a side or a side corner of a mobile terminal, for example, a structural slot 11 shown in FIG. 28. The slot antenna 2 has an input / output line 22 on a rear side for transmitting a signal. The antenna may be used in narrow space with a height of 2 mm, which helps implement lightness and thinness of the mobile terminal. FIG. 29 is another diagram of performance of a slot antenna 2 according to an embodiment of this application. Refer to FIG. 29. A dashed line indicates a return loss of the slot antenna 2, and a solid line indicates efficiency of the slot antenna 2. It can be learned that the antenna has good performance, and can meet broadband coverage of 5 GHz of the mobile terminal.

[0062] The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementations of this application, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of this application. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A mobile terminal, comprising a metal housing and a slot antenna, wherein the metal housing comprises a structural slot, the slot antenna comprises at least one radiation slot, the radiation slot faces the structural slot, and a radiation signal of the slot antenna is transmitted through the structural slot.

2. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the structural slot comprises an air duct slot, a sound-emitting slot, or a decorative slot.

3. The mobile terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the slot antenna comprises at least two radiation slots.

4. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the slot antenna is a cavity slot antenna or a plate slot antenna.

5. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the slot antenna is a cavity slot antenna, the cavity slot antenna comprises a cavity enclosed by a metal side wall, the radiation slot is formed in the cavity, and the metal side wall comprises at least a part of the metal housing.

6. The mobile terminal according to claim 5, further comprising a metal baffle wall, wherein the metal baffle wall is fastened to the metal housing, and the metal side wall comprises the metal baffle wall.

7. The mobile terminal according to claim 6, wherein the metal baffle wall and the metal housing are integrally formed.

8. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a stub is disposed in the radiation slot.

9. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an extension direction of the radiation slot is parallel to an extension direction of the structural slot.

10. The mobile terminal according to claim 9, wherein an orthographic projection of the radiation slot onto a plane on which the structural slot is located is completely located in the structural slot.

11. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the structural slot is covered with an insulation cover.

12. The mobile terminal according to claim 11, wherein the insulation cover is a glass cover.

13. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising an insulation baffle wall, wherein the insulation baffle wall is disposed in the metal housing and faces the structural slot.

14. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the structural slot is filled with an insulation medium.

15. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the metal housing comprises a first housing and a second housing, and the first housing interlocks the second housing; the structural slot is located between the first housing and the second housing; or the structural slot is located in the first housing or the second housing.

16. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the mobile terminal is a notebook computer.

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