Antenna device

Abstract

To improve convenience when determining an antenna arrangement that achieves both antenna performance and housing strength.SOLUTION: An antenna device includes a conductive housing having at least two openings including a first opening and a second opening for at least one of intake and exhaust, and transmitting / receiving means for operating the first opening as a slot antenna to at least one of transmit and receive electromagnetic waves, and at least a portion of the second opening is covered by a conductive mesh structure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various devices have been equipped with wireless communication functions such as the 4th generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE), the 5th generation (5G) New Radio (NR) system, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-SUN (registered trademark), and Sigfox (registered trademark). In addition, there has been active research and development into wireless power transmission, which transmits and receives power wirelessly. In addition, there is an increasing demand for devices to be strong enough to withstand drops and impacts, and an increasing number of devices are being made with conductive materials such as metals and carbon-containing resins to increase their strength.

[0003] When mounting an antenna for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves on a device having a conductive housing, the antenna may be mounted away from conductive materials such as metals and carbon-containing resins to prevent the performance of the antenna from deteriorating due to coupling between the housing and the antenna. For this reason, the housing in which the antenna is mounted may be made of non-conductive materials such as non-metals and non-carbon-containing resins, which may reduce the strength of the housing. Patent Document 1 describes a metal housing in which a slot antenna is arranged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-145126 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the cited document 1, openings are provided for the slot antenna and the heat exhaust port, which reduces the strength of the housing. Also, since the heat exhaust port and the slot antenna may be electrically coupled (interfered) with each other, which may reduce the antenna performance, the slot antenna must be placed in a position that does not affect the antenna performance, which places restrictions on the antenna placement.

[0006] Thus, there has been a problem in that it is difficult to determine an antenna arrangement that satisfies both antenna performance and housing strength. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to improve the convenience when determining an antenna arrangement that achieves both antenna performance and housing strength.

[0008] To achieve the above object, an antenna device according to the present invention comprises: a conductive housing having at least two openings including a first opening and a second opening for at least one of intake and exhaust; a transmitting / receiving means for operating the first opening as a slot antenna to transmit and / or receive electromagnetic waves; Equipped with At least a portion of the second opening is covered by a conductive mesh structure. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for improving convenience when determining an antenna arrangement that achieves both antenna performance and housing strength. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view of an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1A is a diagram showing the ventilation hole and the wireless control unit as viewed from inside the housing, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a modified example of the opening, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing the configuration of the wireless control unit that performs indirect power supply. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a simulation model of the slot antenna according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the results of an electromagnetic field simulation. [Figure 4] 13(a) to 13(d) are views showing examples of an opening according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing a simulation model of the slot antenna according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing the results of an electromagnetic field simulation. [Figure 6] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing the arrangement of a power supply board according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 11C is a diagram showing the structure of the power supply board. [Figure 7] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing the arrangement of power feed lines according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an airflow guide member according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0012] First Embodiment Hereinafter, the antenna device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing an antenna device 10 according to this embodiment. The antenna device 10 is an example of an antenna device including a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication via a slot antenna described later, and a wireless power transmission device that performs wireless power supply. In other words, the antenna device 10 only needs to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves via an antenna, and may perform wireless communication by transmitting and receiving information via electromagnetic waves, or may perform wireless power transmission.

[0014] The antenna device 10 includes a housing 101 and a wireless control unit 102. The wireless control unit 102 performs modulation and demodulation of wireless signals conforming to a wireless communication standard, transmission power control, and the like. As described below, the wireless control unit 102 is an example of a transceiver that causes an opening for intake and exhaust of the housing 101 to function as a slot antenna and performs at least one of transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves. The wireless control unit 102 can transmit and receive signals conforming to standards such as the fourth generation (4G) long-term evolution (LTE) or the fifth generation (5G) new wireless (NR) system. In another example, the wireless control unit 102 can transmit and receive signals conforming to any of standards including Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and Sigfox (registered trademark). Note that, in this embodiment, a case where the wireless control unit 102 transmits electromagnetic waves will be described, but the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where the wireless control unit 102 receives wireless signals. As described above, the wireless control unit 102 may also perform power transmission by transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves.

[0015] The antenna device 10 may include a control unit including one or more processors and one or more memories, and may be an information processing device such as a computer or a smartphone or tablet equipped with a display. The antenna device 10 may also include modules such as an imaging unit for acquiring imaging data and an irradiation unit for irradiating light to the outside of the housing of the antenna device. Since heat may be generated in the housing 101 due to the operation of these units, it is necessary to dissipate the generated heat for stable operation of the antenna device 10. For this reason, the antenna device 10 drives one or more fans 103 to forcibly generate airflow, and at least one of intake and exhaust is performed from vents 104a and 104b (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as vents 104 without distinction) provided in the housing 101. The vent 104 has one or more openings, and intakes or exhausts air. In FIG. 1, the description will be given assuming that the vent 104a is an intake port for intake and the vent 104b is an exhaust port for exhaust. However, the vent 104a may exhaust and the vent 104b may intake. Also, the fan 103 may be capable of switching between intake and exhaust of the vents 104a and 104b by switching the direction of air exhaust. Also, both the vents 104a and 104b may take in or exhaust air at the same time. The fan 103 is an example of an airflow generating unit for promoting the intake or exhaust of air through the vent 104 in the housing. Any other type of airflow generating unit may be used, such as a diaphragm-type pump, as long as it can generate an airflow.

[0016] The number and shape of the openings of the ventilation hole 104 may vary depending on the weight and required strength of the antenna device 10. As shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of openings are often arranged in parallel to allow intake and exhaust while maintaining the strength of the housing 101. In this embodiment, the housing 101 is described as being made of metal and having electrical conductivity. However, it is sufficient that an antenna mounting surface 105 of the housing 101, which will be described later, has electrical conductivity, and a non-conductive material may be used for a part of the housing 101.

[0017] The antenna device 10 according to this embodiment operates the openings of the ventilation opening 104 as slot antennas and transmits and receives electromagnetic waves by supplying power from the wireless control unit 102 to one or more openings of the ventilation opening 104. In the following example, a description will be given of one opening (first opening) of the exhaust opening 104b operating as a slot antenna, but one opening of the intake opening 104a may also operate as a slot antenna.

[0018] 2(a) is a plan view of the antenna mounting surface 105 of the housing 101 as viewed from inside the housing 101. As described above, the ventilation hole 104 has two or more openings, including the opening 202 (first opening) to which power is supplied from the wireless control unit 102 and the opening 204 (second opening) to which power is not supplied, which are arranged on the same surface (on the antenna mounting surface 105). The opening 202 has a rectangular shape having a pair of opposing long sides, and the length of the long sides is approximately half (λ / 2) the wavelength λ of the electromagnetic wave transmitted and received by the wireless control unit 102. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the multiple openings including the openings 202 and 204 are arranged so that the long sides are parallel to each other.

[0019] Wireless control unit 102 includes power feeding unit 201 and power feeding line 203. Power feeding unit 201 outputs electromagnetic waves. Power feeding line 203 electrically connects power feeding unit 201 and opening 202 of housing 101. Note that when wireless control unit 102 receives electromagnetic waves, a receiving unit may be provided instead of power feeding unit 201.

[0020] Fig. 2(b) shows a modified example of aperture 202. As shown in Fig. 2(b), in addition to a rectangular aperture, it is possible to employ an oblong aperture 211 with rounded corners, a Z-shaped or L-shaped aperture 212, a U-shaped aperture 213, and a meandering (meander) aperture 214. In each of apertures 211 to 214, the perimeter of the aperture is approximately half (λ / 2) the wavelength λ of the wireless signal transmitted and received by wireless control unit 102.

[0021] In the example of Fig. 2(a), the wireless control unit 102 is illustrated as feeding power from the power feeding unit 201 to the top opening 202 of the ventilation hole 104. However, the opening 202 to which the power feeding unit 201 feeds power does not have to be the opening 202 located at the end of the ventilation hole 104, and power may be fed to, for example, the second or third opening from the top in Fig. 2(a).

[0022] The method of feeding power from the power feeding unit 201 to the aperture 202 may be direct feeding, in which power is fed by directly connecting a power feeder 203 to the end of the aperture 202 as shown in FIG. 2(a), or indirect feeding, as shown in FIG. 2(c). In the case of direct feeding, a balanced signal is used as the signal from the power feeding unit 201. On the other hand, in the indirect feeding shown in FIG. 2(c), power is fed by an unbalanced signal, and the power feeder 203 and the aperture 202 are electrically connected but not directly connected. The power feeder 203 is arranged at a distance from the aperture 202 so as to cross the long side of the aperture 202, and a high-frequency signal is input from the power feeding unit 201 to the power feeder 203, so that it can be electrically coupled to the aperture 202 and feed power. In addition, a balanced signal or an unbalanced signal may be output from the power supply unit 201, and by providing a balun (balanced-unbalanced converter) in part of the power supply line 203, it is possible to supply power to the aperture 202 using any combination of output method and power supply method.

[0023] Here, Fig. 3(b) shows the results of an electromagnetic field simulation in the case where the simulation model shown in Fig. 3(a) is designed assuming that the wireless control unit 102 transmits and receives electromagnetic waves in the 2.4-2.5 GHz band. The length of the long side 301 of the opening 202 shown in Fig. 3(a) is 60 mm, the length of the short side of the opening 202 is 2 mm, and the power feeding position 302 of the power feeding unit 201 is 6 mm from the end of the long side of the opening 202. The opening dimensions of the ventilation hole 104 arranged next to the opening 202 to be fed are also the same as those of the opening 202 to be fed. The distance 303 between the openings in the long side direction is 10 mm, and the distance 304 between the openings in the short side direction is 8 mm.

[0024] Figure 3(b) shows the results of an electromagnetic field simulation of the radiation efficiency of the model shown in Figure 3(a). As shown in Figure 3(b), good radiation efficiency is obtained in the design frequency range of 2.4 to 2.5 GHz. Note that the design frequency and dimensions of the simulation model are just examples, and similar effects can be obtained with other parameters.

[0025] As described above, by supplying power from wireless control unit 102 to one opening 202 of two or more openings of ventilation hole 104 provided in housing 101, ventilation hole 104 can be operated as an antenna. This eliminates the need to construct the housing from a non-conductive material or to separate the housing from the antenna, as in the case of using an electric field type antenna, and therefore makes it possible to easily determine an antenna arrangement that has good radiation performance while maintaining the strength of housing 101.

[0026] In this embodiment, the wireless control unit 102 is described as performing wireless communication by making the opening 202 function as an antenna, but as described above, the present invention is not limited to wireless communication and can be similarly applied to wireless power transmission. When applied to wireless power transmission, the antenna device 10 operates as a wireless power transmission device and performs wireless power transmission by transmitting and receiving power via a wireless signal to be transmitted and received. In this case, the wireless control unit 102 performs power transmission and reception control, which is control for performing wireless power transmission. Examples of power transmission and reception control include transmission and reception of control signals before and after transmission and reception of power in the industrial, scientific, and medical band (ISM band), generation of transmitted power, and extraction of received power.

[0027] Furthermore, when the wireless control unit 102 performs wireless communication, a high-frequency circuit including an amplifier and an oscillator for modulating and demodulating a wireless signal may be provided in addition to the power supply unit 201 and the power supply line 203. When the wireless control unit 102 performs wireless power transmission, a high-frequency circuit for extracting power from a wireless signal and a battery for storing the extracted power may be provided in addition to the power supply unit 201 and the power supply line 203.

[0028] <Second embodiment> In the second embodiment, an antenna device including an opening having a mesh structure will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used for configurations, functions, and processes similar to those in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0029] 4(a) shows an antenna mounting surface 105 according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 201 is described as supplying power to the central opening 202 of the ventilation hole 104, but the opening to which power is supplied does not have to be the central opening.

[0030] The surrounding area of ​​the opening 202 acting as a slot antenna greatly affects the characteristics of the antenna. For example, if the surrounding area of ​​the opening 202 acting as an antenna is a conductor such as metal, it has good characteristics. However, if there is a large opening in the metal area around the opening 202 acting as an antenna, the antenna characteristics will change. For example, the perimeter of the opening changes depending on the size (electrical length) relative to the wavelength, but generally, if it is less than about a quarter of the wavelength λ of the radio signal that the power supply unit 201 is expected to transmit and receive, it is electrically small and has little effect on the antenna characteristics.

[0031] For this reason, the antenna device 10 according to this embodiment has an air vent 104 in which a mesh structure 402 is provided in an opening 401 adjacent to an opening 202 to which power is fed from a power feeder 201. The mesh structure 402 of the opening 401 is made of a conductor such as a metal. The mesh structure can electrically reduce the size of the opening 401 adjacent to the opening 202 acting as a slot antenna, and increasing the area of ​​the conductor region makes it easier for current to flow, thereby improving the characteristics of the slot antenna. The area of ​​the conductor region of the mesh structure of the opening 401 can be designed so as not to impair the intake and exhaust function of the air vent 104. Furthermore, by arranging a mesh structure in the air vent 104, the strength of the housing 1 can be prevented from being impaired.

[0032] Also, as shown in FIG. 4(b), a mesh structure 403 can be provided in the opening 202 acting as a slot antenna. For example, when the length of the long side of the opening 202 is longer than half (λ / 2) of the wavelength λ of the wireless signal transmitted and received by the wireless control unit 102, the mesh structure 403 can be provided in the opening 202. This allows the length of the long side of the opening 202 to be adjusted so that the opening 202 operates as a slot antenna while ensuring airflow through the ventilation hole 104. Note that, although the mesh structure 403 is provided on the right side of the opening 202 in FIG. 4(b), the mesh structure 403 may be provided on the left side or both sides as long as the length of the long side of the opening 202 to which the power supply line 203 is connected is about half the wavelength of the operating frequency.

[0033] The material of the mesh structure provided in the openings 202 and 401 may be conductive and may be different from the material of the housing 101. For example, as shown in FIG. 4(c), a mesh structure 404 may be provided using a metal member that is a different material from the housing 101.

[0034] Also, a mesh structure 405 in a mesh pattern (cross shape) may be provided as shown in Fig. 4(d), or a lattice-shaped mesh structure 406 may be provided as shown in Fig. 4(e). Also, as shown in Fig. 4(f) and Fig. 4(g), mesh structures 407 and 408 in which conductive material is arranged in a direction perpendicular or horizontal to the long side direction of the opening 401 may be arranged. Note that the shapes are not limited to the examples shown in Fig. 4(a) to Fig. 4(f), and may be any shape that increases the area of ​​the conductor region of the opening 401.

[0035] Here, Fig. 5(b) shows the results of an electromagnetic field simulation in the case where the simulation model shown in Fig. 5(a) is designed assuming that the wireless control unit 102 transmits and receives electromagnetic waves in the 2.4-2.5 GHz band. The shapes of the opening 202 and the other openings 501-509 of the ventilation hole 104 are the same as those in Fig. 3. Mesh structures 511, 512 are provided in the openings 501, 505 adjacent to the opening 202 to which power is fed from the power feeding unit 201. The mesh structures 511, 512 are arranged at intervals of 7.5 mm so as to divide the long sides of the openings 501, 505 into four, respectively.

[0036] Figure 5(b) shows the results of an electromagnetic field simulation of the frequency characteristics of the radiation efficiency in the model shown in Figure 5(a). As shown in Figure 5(b), good radiation efficiency is obtained in the design frequency range of 2.4 to 2.5 GHz, and the peak of the radiation efficiency is improved and the bandwidth is wider than in Figure 3(b). Note that the design frequency and dimensions of the simulation model are just examples, and similar effects can be obtained with other parameters.

[0037] 5(a), a mesh structure may be arranged in at least one of the openings 502 to 508 in addition to the openings 501 and 509. Also, as described above with reference to FIG. 4(b), a mesh structure may be provided in the opening 202 that operates as a slot antenna.

[0038] As described above, in the antenna device according to this embodiment, the mesh structure is disposed in an opening different from the opening that operates as a slot antenna. This allows the area of ​​the opening to be reduced, thereby increasing the strength of the housing. In addition, electrical coupling between the opening that operates as a slot antenna and the opening in which the mesh structure is disposed can be suppressed, so that the antenna arrangement can be determined without degrading the antenna performance.

[0039] <Third embodiment> In the third embodiment, an antenna device including a wireless control unit 102 having a power supply board will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used for configurations, functions, and processes similar to those in the first and second embodiments, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0040] 6(a) and 6(b) are diagrams showing the configuration of a power supply board according to the third embodiment. Fig. 6(a) is a diagram showing the ventilation hole 104 as viewed from inside the housing 101, and Fig. 6(b) is a diagram showing the ventilation hole 104 as viewed from outside the housing 101.

[0041] The power supply board 601 in FIG. 6(a) is a dielectric board including a power supply line 602 and a dielectric 603. For example, the power supply board 601 can be formed by processing a rigid board such as a glass epoxy board and arranging a conductor on the dielectric 603. The power supply line 602 and the opening 202 are high-frequency-coupled to generate a current around the opening 202, and the board operates as a slot antenna. In this case, the ground of the power supply unit 201 is electrically connected to the housing 101, so that the ground potential of the housing 101 can be shared. In one example, in addition to the power supply line 602, a conductor such as a ground solid pattern may be additionally arranged on the dielectric 603. Note that the power supply line 602 only needs to be arranged on the dielectric board, and the board does not have to be a processed board.

[0042] Lines A-A' and B-B' in FIG. 6(c) show the lines where the end of the opening 202 and the power supply board 601 overlap when viewed in a direction penetrating the opening 202 of the ventilation hole 104. An opening 604 is arranged in the dielectric 603, and a part of the power supply board 601 overlaps with the opening of the ventilation hole 104 in a direction penetrating the opening of the ventilation hole 104, that is, a part of the power supply board 601 is arranged in a position that blocks the opening of the ventilation hole 104. This prevents the airflow from being obstructed by the power supply board 601, and ensures the airflow. In one example, at least one of the openings 604 of the power supply board 601 is arranged so as to overlap with any opening of the ventilation hole 104 in a direction penetrating the opening of the ventilation hole 104, that is, in a direction approximately perpendicular to the antenna mounting surface 105. When a conductor such as a solid pattern is arranged on the dielectric 603, an opening is also provided in the conductor.

[0043] 6(a) and 6(b), the feed line 602 is illustrated as being disposed between the dielectric 603 and the antenna mounting surface 105. However, the dielectric 603 may be disposed between the feed line 602 and the antenna mounting surface 105, or when the dielectric 603 is a multilayer substrate, the feed line 602 may be disposed so as to be sandwiched between the dielectric 603.

[0044] Also, although indirect power supply is illustrated in Figs. 6(a) and 6(b), the present invention is also applicable to direct power supply.

[0045] <Fourth embodiment> In the fourth embodiment, an antenna device in which a feeder line is disposed in a direction intersecting an aperture surface will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used for configurations, functions, and processes similar to those in the first to third embodiments, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0046] 7(a) and 7(b) are diagrams showing the arrangement of the power feeder according to this embodiment. Fig. 7(a) shows the arrangement of the power feeder when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the antenna mounting surface 105, i.e., in a direction penetrating the opening 202 of the ventilation hole 104. Fig. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view of the power feeder 203 and the antenna mounting surface 105 on a plane passing through the line A-A' in Fig. 7(a) and perpendicular to the antenna mounting surface 105.

[0047] 7(b), by wiring the power feeder 701 from the power feeding unit 201 in a direction intersecting the opening plane of the opening 202, i.e., in approximately the same direction as the flow direction of the air current 702, it is possible to prevent the power feeder 701 from interfering with the air current. In this case, for example, the power feeder 701 may be wired so as to follow a support or the like inside the housing 101 of the antenna device 10, or a support member that supports the wiring of the power feeder 701 may be disposed in the housing 101.

[0048] <Fifth embodiment> In the fifth embodiment, an antenna device having an airflow guiding member that guides an airflow so as to cover a power supply board will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used for configurations, functions, and processes similar to those of the first to fourth embodiments, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0049] 8(a) and 8(b) are diagrams showing the arrangement of induction member 801 according to this embodiment. Fig. 8(a) shows the arrangement of the feeder lines when viewed in a direction perpendicular to antenna mounting surface 105, i.e., in a direction penetrating opening 202 of ventilation hole 104. Fig. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view of feeder line 203 and antenna mounting surface 105 on a plane passing through line A-A' in Fig. 8(a) and perpendicular to antenna mounting surface 105.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 8(a), when viewed from inside the housing 101 in a direction penetrating the opening 202, a guide member 801 is arranged to cover the power supply board 601 and guide the airflow so that it does not hit the power supply board 601. The guide member 801 has a bottomed cylindrical or pyramidal shape. In the example shown in FIG. 8(a), it is illustrated as a bottomed rectangular tube, but it may have a pyramidal, cylindrical, or conical shape. As shown in FIG. 8(b), the airflow 702 is guided by the guide member 801 in the direction indicated by the airflow 802. This changes the direction of the airflow that would be obstructed by the power supply board 601 if the guide member 801 were not present, and prevents a decrease in the amount of exhaust air from the inside of the antenna device 10 to the outside or the amount of intake air from the outside of the antenna device 10 to the inside.

[0051] <Other embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0052] In the present embodiment, only one opening 202 is described as operating as a slot antenna, but multiple openings may be used as antennas. In such a case, a wireless control unit 102 may be provided for each opening, or one wireless control unit 102 may transmit and receive electromagnetic waves via multiple openings. For example, in addition to the opening 202 of the ventilation opening 104a, one opening (fourth opening) of the ventilation opening 104b arranged on a different surface from the ventilation opening 104a is operated as a slot antenna, thereby improving the directivity of the slot antenna.

[0053] <Summary of the embodiment> The disclosure of this embodiment is as follows.

[0054] (Item 1) a conductive housing having at least two openings including a first opening and a second opening for at least one of intake and exhaust; a transmitting / receiving means for operating the first opening as a slot antenna to transmit and / or receive electromagnetic waves; Equipped with The antenna device, wherein at least a portion of the second opening is covered by a conductive mesh structure.

[0055] (Item 2) 2. The antenna device according to item 1, wherein the first opening and the second opening are arranged on the same surface of the housing.

[0056] (Item 3) 3. The antenna device according to item 1 or 2, further comprising an airflow generating means arranged in the housing for promoting intake or exhaust of air through the first opening or the second opening.

[0057] (Item 4) 4. The antenna device according to item 3, wherein the airflow generating means is disposed at a position opposite to the first opening.

[0058] (Item 5) 5. The antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a portion of the first opening is covered with a conductive mesh structure.

[0059] (Item 6) 5. The antenna device according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the length of the long side of the first opening is approximately half the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave that the transmitting / receiving means transmits and / or receives.

[0060] (Item 7) 7. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting / receiving means has a feeder line electrically connected to the first opening.

[0061] (Item 8) The transmitting / receiving means includes a dielectric substrate; 8. The antenna device according to item 7, wherein the feed line is disposed on the dielectric substrate.

[0062] (Item 9) the dielectric substrate has one or more openings including a third opening; The antenna device described in item 8, wherein the third opening is arranged at a position overlapping with the first opening or the second opening in a direction approximately perpendicular to a surface of the housing on which the first opening is provided.

[0063] (Item 10) 10. The antenna device according to any one of items 7 to 9, wherein the feeder line is disposed in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the housing on which the first opening is provided.

[0064] (Item 11) The antenna device according to any one of items 1 to 10, characterized in that an induction member for guiding an air flow within the housing is disposed at a position opposite the first opening within the housing, and the transmitting / receiving means is disposed between the first opening and the induction member.

[0065] (Item 12) 12. The antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the transmitting / receiving means performs wireless communication or wireless power transmission with another device through the first opening.

[0066] (Item 13) 13. The antenna device according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the first opening and the second opening are arranged such that their respective long sides are parallel to each other.

[0067] (Item 14) 14. The antenna device according to any one of items 1 to 13, further comprising an imaging means for acquiring imaging data.

[0068] (Item 15) 15. The antenna device according to any one of items 1 to 14, further comprising an irradiating means for irradiating light to the outside of the housing.

[0069] (Item 16) a fourth opening is provided on a surface of the housing different from the first opening; 16. The antenna device according to any one of items 1 to 15, wherein the transmitting / receiving means operates the fourth opening as a slot antenna to perform at least one of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves.

[0070] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10 Antenna device, 101 Housing, 102 Wireless control unit, 103 Fan, 104 Vent, 105 Antenna mounting surface, 201 Power supply unit, 202 Opening, 203 Power supply line

Claims

1. a conductive housing having at least two openings including a first opening and a second opening for at least one of intake and exhaust; a transmitting / receiving means for operating the first opening as a slot antenna to transmit and / or receive electromagnetic waves; Equipped with The antenna device, wherein at least a portion of the second opening is covered with a conductive mesh structure.

2. The antenna device according to claim 1 , wherein the first opening and the second opening are disposed on the same surface of the housing.

3. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising an airflow generating means arranged in the housing for promoting intake or exhaust of air through the first opening or the second opening.

4. 4. The antenna device according to claim 3, wherein the airflow generating means is disposed at a position opposite to the first opening.

5. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first opening is covered by a conductive mesh structure.

6. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the length of a long side of the first opening is approximately half the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave that is at least one of transmitted and received by the transmitting / receiving means.

7. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting / receiving means comprises a feed line electrically connected to the first opening.

8. The transmitting / receiving means includes a dielectric substrate; The antenna device according to claim 7 , wherein the feed line is disposed on the dielectric substrate.

9. the dielectric substrate has one or more openings including a third opening; 9. The antenna device according to claim 8, wherein the third opening is arranged at a position overlapping with the first opening or the second opening in a direction approximately perpendicular to a surface of the housing on which the first opening is provided.

10. 8. The antenna device according to claim 7, wherein the feed line is disposed in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the housing on which the first opening is provided.

11. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein an induction member for guiding an air flow within the housing is disposed at a position opposite the first opening within the housing, and the transmitting / receiving means is disposed between the first opening and the induction member.

12. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting / receiving means performs wireless communication or wireless power transmission with another device through the first opening.

13. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the first opening and the second opening are arranged so that their respective long sides are parallel to each other.

14. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising an imaging means for acquiring imaging data.

15. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising an irradiating means for irradiating light to the outside of the housing.

16. a fourth opening is provided on a surface of the housing different from the first opening; 16. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting / receiving means operates the fourth opening as a slot antenna to perform at least one of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves.

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