Antenna module

Abstract

To provide an antenna module having a desired configuration and desired antenna characteristics.SOLUTION: In an antenna module 10, a support member 20 has an outer wall 24 and an inner wall 26 that constitute an accommodating groove 22. A main part 42 of a coil 40 is at least partially accommodated in the accommodating groove 22 of the support member 20. The support member 20 has a first flange part 281 protruding from the outer wall 24 toward a first direction and a second flange portion 283 protruding from the outer wall 24 toward a second direction. A portion of the main part 42 of the coil 40 is positioned below the first flange part 281 and the second flange part 283 in a top view. A magnetic sheet 60 is attached to an upper portion of the outer wall 24 so as to partially cover the main part 42 of the coil 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] The antenna module (antenna coil) disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a coil (coil body), a magnetic sheet (resin-bonded soft magnetic material), and a support member (coil case).

[0003] In the antenna module of Patent Document 1, the support member has a frame shape and has a groove-shaped storage section formed along its outer shape. A magnetic sheet and a coil are stored in the storage section. The magnetic sheet is located on the bottom side of the storage section, and the coil is located on the upper side of the magnetic sheet, i.e., on the opening side of the storage section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-339757 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the antenna module of Patent Document 1, the magnetic sheet is located below the coil, but taking into consideration the usage state of the antenna module, it may be desirable to provide the magnetic sheet above the coil. Furthermore, the antenna module of Patent Document 1 is connected to the outside using a coil side terminal provided on the coil case, but there is also a demand for connecting the coil to the outside using a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). In addition, when an FPC is used, there is a demand for connecting the FPC to the coil before attaching the coil to the support member.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an antenna module that satisfies the above demands and can exhibit desired antenna characteristics. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a first antenna module, which includes a support member and a coil, The coil has a main portion, The support member has an outer wall and an inner wall that define an accommodating groove, at least one first flange portion, and at least one second flange portion, The at least one first flange portion protrudes from the outer wall in a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, the at least one second flange portion protrudes from the outer wall toward a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; The main portion of the coil is at least partially accommodated in the accommodation groove, A part of the main portion of the coil is located below the first flange portion and the second flange portion when viewed from above. An antenna module is provided.

[0008] The present invention also provides a second antenna module, which is a first antenna module, the support member further has at least one third flange portion protruding from the outer wall toward a third direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, A part of the main portion of the coil is located below the third flange portion when viewed from above. An antenna module is provided.

[0009] The present invention also provides a third antenna module, which is the first antenna module, The inner wall of the support member is provided with a first recess and a second recess, the first recess and the second recess correspond to the first flange and the second flange, respectively; the first recess is located on the first azimuth side of the corresponding first flange portion and is recessed in the first azimuth; The second recess is located on the second azimuth side of the corresponding second flange portion and is recessed in the second azimuth. An antenna module is provided.

[0010] The present invention also provides a fourth antenna module, which is the first antenna module, The support member has an upper surface in which the accommodation groove is formed and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, A confirmation window is formed on the lower surface to allow visual confirmation that the coil is accommodated in the accommodation groove. An antenna module is provided.

[0011] The present invention also provides a fifth antenna module, which is the first antenna module, the first flange portion has a shape that extends downward toward the first orientation in a cross section along a plane defined by the first orientation and the up-down direction, The second flange portion has a shape that slopes downward toward the second direction in a cross section along a plane defined by the second direction and the up-down direction. An antenna module is provided.

[0012] Further, the present invention provides a sixth antenna module, which is the first antenna module, The antenna module further comprises a magnetic sheet, The magnetic sheet is attached to an upper portion of the outer wall so as to partially cover the main portion of the coil. An antenna module is provided.

[0013] Further, the present invention provides a seventh antenna module, which is the first antenna module, The antenna module further comprises a flexible printed circuit board; The coil further has an end portion. the end is connected to the flexible printed circuit board; The flexible printed circuit board has an extraction portion, The drawn-out portion is partially drawn out to the outside of the support member in a third direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. An antenna module is provided.

[0014] The present invention also provides an eighth antenna module, which is a seventh antenna module, The flexible printed circuit board has a plurality of through holes formed therein, The support member is formed with a plurality of holding portions corresponding to the through holes, The holding portion has an inserted portion inserted into the corresponding through hole, and a fixing portion located above the inserted portion and having a size larger than the through hole in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. An antenna module is provided.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention provides a ninth antenna module, which is the seventh or eighth antenna module, The support member has an opening communicating with the accommodation groove, The opening is formed in a lower portion of the outer wall, The lead-out portion passes under the coil and is led out to the outside of the support member through the opening. An antenna module is provided.

[0016] The present invention also provides a tenth antenna module, which is the seventh or eighth antenna module, The coil is partially located above the lead-out portion, The support member further includes two projections protruding from the outer wall toward a fourth direction opposite to the third direction, The two protrusions are positioned on either side of the drawer portion, A part of the main portion of the coil provides an antenna module located below the two protrusions when viewed from above.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention provides an eleventh antenna module, which is any one of the second to seventh antenna modules, The support member has an upper surface in which the accommodation groove is formed and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, A plurality of intersecting ribs and recesses located between adjacent ribs are formed on the lower surface. An antenna module is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna module in which a coil already connected to a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) can be attached to a support member and a magnetic sheet can be provided above the coil, thereby providing an antenna module having desired antenna characteristics. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the ends of the coil are not connected to the connection pads of the FPC. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the antenna module of FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a bottom view showing the antenna module of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the antenna module of FIG. 2 taken along line AA. [Diagram 5] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the antenna module of FIG. 2 along line BB. [Figure 6] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the antenna module of FIG. 2 along line CC. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the antenna module of FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the antenna module of FIG. 7 along the line DD. [Figure 9] 2 is a plan view showing a state in which a magnetic sheet is removed from the antenna module of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] 2 is a perspective view showing the antenna module of FIG. 1 in a state before a holding portion of a support member is thermally crimped. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the antenna module of FIG. 10. The cut position corresponds to the cut position in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, an antenna module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a support member 20, a coil 40, a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter, referred to as FPC) 50, and a magnetic sheet 60.

[0021] As can be seen from Figures 2, 3 and 7, the support member 20 is substantially plate-shaped and has an upper surface 201 perpendicular to the vertical direction and a lower surface 203 opposite to the upper surface 201. The support member 20 is made of, for example, insulating resin. In this embodiment, the vertical direction is the Z direction. The +Z direction is upward, and the -Z direction is downward. Note that the vertical direction in this specification is defined for convenience of explanation and does not necessarily coincide with the vertical direction.

[0022] 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the support member 20 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The shape of the support member 20 is not particularly limited, and may be other shapes such as a circle or a racetrack shape when viewed from above.

[0023] 9, an accommodating groove 22 is formed in an upper surface 201 of the support member 20. More specifically, the support member 20 has an outer wall 24 and an inner wall 26 that form the accommodating groove 22. In this embodiment, the accommodating groove 22 is formed along the outer shape of the support member 20 and has a rectangular ring shape. The width of the accommodating groove 22 is larger than the diameter of the coated conductor of the coil 40. For example, when the diameter of the coated conductor is 0.18 mm, the width of the accommodating groove 22 can be 0.2 to 1.275 mm.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 9, in this embodiment, the outer wall 24 of the support member 20 has a first outer wall portion 241 and a second outer wall portion 243 extending in a first horizontal direction, and a third outer wall portion 245 and a fourth outer wall portion 247 extending in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. The third outer wall portion 245 connects one ends of the first outer wall portion 241 and the second outer wall portion 243 to each other. The fourth outer wall portion 247 connects the other ends of the first outer wall portion 241 and the second outer wall portion 243 to each other. In this embodiment, the first horizontal direction is the X direction, and the second horizontal direction is the Y direction.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 9, the inner wall 26 has a first inner wall portion 261 and a second inner wall portion 263 extending in the first horizontal direction, and a third inner wall portion 265 and a pair of fourth inner wall portions 267 extending in the second horizontal direction. The first inner wall portion 261 faces the first outer wall portion 241 and partially defines the accommodation groove 22 together with the first outer wall portion 241. The second inner wall portion 263 faces the second outer wall portion 243 and partially defines the accommodation groove 22 together with the second outer wall portion 243. The third inner wall portion 265 faces the third outer wall portion 245 and partially defines the accommodation groove 22 together with the third outer wall portion 245. The fourth inner wall portion 267 faces the fourth outer wall portion 247 and partially defines the accommodation groove 22 together with the fourth outer wall portion 247.

[0026] As can be seen from FIG. 9, the coil 40 has a main portion 42 formed by winding a coated conductor wire, and a pair of end portions 44 extending from the main portion 42. The main portion 42 of the coil 40 is at least partially accommodated in the accommodation groove 22 of the support member 20. The end portions 44 of the coil 40 are drawn to the inner peripheral side of the main portion 42 and connected to the FPC 50. In this embodiment, the main portion 42 has a rounded rectangular shape in a plan view, and has a first side portion 421, a second side portion 423, a third side portion 425, and a fourth side portion 427. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The shape of the main portion 42 may be other shapes such as a circle or a racetrack shape in a plan view.

[0027] 9, the support member 20 has a plurality of flange portions 28. More specifically, the support member 20 has at least one first flange portion 281, at least one second flange portion 283, and at least one third flange portion 285. These flange portions 28 protrude above the accommodating groove 22, making it difficult for the main portion 42 of the coil 40 to come out of the accommodating groove 22. The amount of protrusion of the flange portions 28 depends on the width of the accommodating groove 22, but is, for example, 0.2 to 0.8 mm when the diameter of the coated conductor wire is 0.18 mm.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 9, at least one first flange portion 281 protrudes from the outer wall 24 toward the inner wall 26. More specifically, at least one first flange portion 281 protrudes from the outer wall 24 toward a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the first flange portion 281 protrudes from the first outer wall portion 241 toward the first direction. In this embodiment, the first direction is the -Y direction. Also, in this embodiment, the number of first flange portions 281 is one. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The number of first flange portions 281 may be two or more.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 9, at least one second flange portion 283 also protrudes from the outer wall 24 toward the inner wall 26. More specifically, at least one second flange portion 283 protrudes from the outer wall 24 toward the second orientation, which is the opposite orientation to the first orientation. In this embodiment, the second flange portion 283 protrudes from the second outer wall portion 243 toward the second orientation. In this embodiment, the second orientation is the +Y direction. In this embodiment, the number of second flange portions 283 is one. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The number of second flange portions 283 may be two or more. In addition, the number of second flange portions 283 may be different from the number of first flange portions 281.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 9, at least one third flange portion 285 also protrudes from the outer wall 24 toward the inner wall 26. More specifically, at least one third flange portion 285 protrudes from the outer wall 24 toward a third orientation perpendicular to the up-down direction and perpendicular to both the first orientation and the second orientation. In this embodiment, the third flange portion 285 protrudes from the third outer wall portion 245 toward the third orientation. In this embodiment, the third orientation is the -X direction. In this embodiment, the number of the third flange portions 285 is one. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The number of the third flange portions 285 may be two or more. On the other hand, the third flange portion 285 is not essential in the present invention and may not be present.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 4, the lower surface of the first flange portion 281 has a shape that slopes downward as it extends in the first direction (-Y direction) in a cross-section along a plane defined by the first direction and the vertical direction. Thus, when the main portion 42 of the coil 40 accommodated in the accommodation groove 22 moves in a direction to exit the accommodation groove 22, the main portion 42 of the coil 40 receives a force from the first flange portion 281 toward the second direction, making it difficult for the main portion 42 to exit the accommodation groove 22. Similarly, the lower surface of the second flange portion 283 has a shape that slopes downward as it extends in the second direction (+Y direction) in a cross-section along a plane defined by the second direction and the vertical direction. Thus, when the main portion 42 of the coil 40 accommodated in the accommodation groove 22 moves in a direction to exit the accommodation groove 22, the main portion 42 of the coil 40 receives a force from the second flange portion 283 toward the first direction, making it difficult for the main portion 42 to exit the accommodation groove 22. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The entire first flange portion 281 may have a shape that slopes downward as it extends in the first direction in a cross-section along a plane defined by the first direction and the vertical direction. Also, the entire second flange portion 283 may have a shape that slopes downward as it extends in the second direction in a cross-section along a plane defined by the second direction and the vertical direction.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 8, the lower surface of the third flange portion 285 has a shape that slopes downward as it extends in the third direction (-X direction) in a cross-section along a plane defined by the third direction and the vertical direction. The third flange portion 285 also makes it difficult for the main portion 42 of the coil 40 to exit the accommodation groove 22. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Similar to the first flange portion 281 and the second flange portion 283, the entire third flange portion 285 may have a shape that slopes downward as it extends in the third direction in a cross-section along a plane defined by the third direction and the vertical direction.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, the support member 20 is provided with an opening 249 that communicates with the accommodation groove 22. The opening 249 is formed in the lower portion of the outer wall 24. In the present embodiment, the opening 249 is formed in the lower portion of the fourth outer wall portion 247. In addition, in the present embodiment, the opening 249 also extends to the lower surface 203.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 9, the support member 20 further has two protrusions 30. The protrusions 30 protrude from the outer wall 24 toward the inner wall 26. More specifically, the protrusions 30 protrude from the outer wall 24 toward the fourth orientation, which is the opposite orientation to the third orientation. In this embodiment, the protrusions 30 protrude from the fourth outer wall portion 247 of the outer wall 24 toward the fourth orientation. In this embodiment, the fourth orientation is the +X direction. In addition, in this embodiment, the two protrusions 30 are positioned on either side of the opening 249 (see FIGS. 6 and 8) in the second horizontal direction. In other words, the two protrusions 30 are positioned on either side of the lead-out portion 54 of the FPC 50 that is led out through the opening 249 in the second horizontal direction. The protrusion amount of the protrusions 30 depends on the width of the accommodation groove 22, and is, for example, 0.2 to 0.8 mm when the diameter of the coated conductor is 0.18 mm. However, in the present invention, the protrusions 30 are not essential.

[0035] 8, the lower surface of the projection 30 has a shape that slopes downward toward the fourth orientation in a cross section along a plane defined by the fourth orientation (+X direction) and the up-down direction. The projection 30 also makes it difficult for the main portion 42 of the coil 40 to come out of the accommodating groove 22. The projection 30 may also have a shape that slopes downward toward the fourth orientation as a whole in a cross section along a plane defined by the fourth orientation and the up-down direction.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 9, the inner wall 26 of the support member 20 is provided with a first recess 271, a second recess 273, and a third recess 275. The first recess 271, the second recess 273, and the third recess 275 correspond to the first flange portion 281, the second recess 273, and the third flange portion 285, respectively. In detail, the first recess 271 is located on the first orientation (−Y direction) side of the corresponding first flange portion 281 and is recessed in the first orientation. The second recess 273 is located on the second orientation (+Y direction) side of the corresponding second flange portion 283 and is recessed in the second orientation. The third recess 275 is located on the third orientation (−X direction) side of the corresponding third flange portion 285 and is recessed in the third orientation. The first recess 271, the second recess 273, and the third recess 275 make it easy to accommodate the main portion 42 of the coil 40 in the accommodation groove 22. However, the third recess 275 is not essential to the present invention.

[0037] 3, in this embodiment, a plurality of ribs 32 intersecting each other and depressions 34 located between adjacent ribs 32 are formed on the lower surface 203 of the support member 20. The ribs 32 include those extending along a first horizontal direction and those extending in a second horizontal direction. The depressions 34 have a rectangular shape in bottom view and are recessed upward. The presence of the depressions 34 reduces the amount of resin required to form the support member 20, thereby realizing cost reduction.

[0038] 3, in this embodiment, a first confirmation window 361, a second confirmation window 363, and a third confirmation window 365 are formed in the lower surface 203 of the support member 20. The first confirmation window 361, the second confirmation window 363, and the third confirmation window 365 correspond to the first flange portion 281, the second flange portion 283, and the third flange portion 285, respectively. The first confirmation window 361, the second confirmation window 363, and the third confirmation window 365 are used to visually confirm the coil 40. In other words, the main portion 42 of the coil 40 accommodated in the accommodation groove 22 can be visually confirmed through each of the first confirmation window 361, the second confirmation window 363, and the third confirmation window 365.

[0039] 9, in this embodiment, the FPC 50 has a substantially T-shape in plan view. In particular, the FPC 50 has a connection portion 52 extending in the second horizontal direction and a lead-out portion 54 extending in the first horizontal direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The FPC 50 only needs to have the lead-out portion 54, and the shape thereof is not particularly limited.

[0040] 9, a pair of conductor patterns 501 are formed on the upper surface of the FPC 50. The conductor patterns 501 extend from the connection portion 52 to the lead-out portion 54. The end portion 44 of the coil 40 is connected to a connection pad included in the conductor patterns 501.

[0041] 2, 5 and 8, the connection portion 52 of the FPC 50 is fixed to the support member 20. In the present embodiment, the connection portion 52 of the FPC 50 is fixed to the support member 20 by thermal caulking. The lead-out portion 54 of the FPC 50 is at least partially drawn out to the outside of the support member 20 through an opening 249 formed in the support member 20. In the present embodiment, the lead-out portion 54 of the FPC 50 is drawn out in the third direction.

[0042] 1, 2 and 7, the magnetic sheet 60 is a thin rectangular sheet in top view. The magnetic sheet 60 is made of at least a magnetic metal powder and a binder (resin) that bonds the powder. The magnetic sheet 60 is attached to the upper part of the outer wall 24 so as to partially cover the main portion 42 of the coil 40.

[0043] A manufacturing procedure for the antenna module 10 will be described below mainly with reference to FIG.

[0044] First, the support member 20, the coil 40, the FPC 50 and the magnetic sheet 60 are prepared.

[0045] The ends 44 of the coil 40 are then soldered to the connection pads of the FPC 50 .

[0046] Next, the FPC 50 is attached to the support member 20. At this time, the drawn-out portion 54 of the FPC 50 is partially drawn out of the support member 20 toward the third orientation (-X direction) through the opening 249 (see FIG. 8) of the support member 20. At the same time, the fourth side portion 427 of the main portion 42 of the coil 40 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 22. As the drawn-out portion 54 of the FPC 50 is pulled toward the third orientation, the fourth side portion 427 of the main portion 42 of the coil 40 approaches the fourth outer wall portion 247 of the outer wall 24 and is at least partially located below the protrusion 30. Since the fourth inner wall portion 267 does not have the protrusion 30, when the fourth side portion 427 of the main portion 42 of the coil 40 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 22, the coil 40 is not pressed against the protrusion 30 and the coating is not damaged.

[0047] As can be seen from FIGS. 10 and 11, the FPC 50 has a plurality of through holes 56 formed therein. Meanwhile, the support member 20 has a plurality of holding portions 38 formed therein, each corresponding to the through holes 56. The shape of each of the holding portions 38 is initially cylindrical. When the FPC 50 is attached to the support member 20, the holding portions 38 of the support member 20 are inserted into the corresponding through holes 56 of the FPC 50. Thereafter, the holding portions 38 of the support member 20 are deformed by thermal caulking. As shown in FIG. 5, the deformed holding portions 38 have inserted portions 381 inserted into the corresponding through holes 56 and fixed portions 383 located above the inserted portions 381 and having a size larger than the through holes 56 in the horizontal direction. The fixed portions 383 fix the FPC 50 to the support member 20.

[0048] Next, the first side portion 421 and the second side portion 423 of the main portion 42 of the coil 40 are bent inward in the second horizontal direction (X direction) and accommodated in the accommodation groove 22 of the support member 20 by utilizing the first recess 271 and the second recess 273. When the external force is removed, the first side portion 421 and the second side portion 423 of the main portion 42 of the coil 40 attempt to return to their original shapes by a restoring force, approaching the first outer wall portion 241 and the second outer wall portion 243, respectively, and moving below the first flange portion 281 and the second flange portion 283, respectively. At this time, the third side portion 425 of the main portion 42 of the coil 40 is located inside the third flange portion 285 in the first horizontal direction.

[0049] Next, the coil 40 is moved in its entirety toward the fourth orientation (+X direction) using a jig or the like. The coil 40 is moved so that the third side 425 of the main portion 42 of the coil 40 is at least partially located under the third flange portion 285, and the fourth side 427 is housed in the housing groove 22 and at least partially located under the protrusion 30. The coil 40 is moved so that the third side 425 of the main portion 42 of the coil 40 does not come into contact with the third inner wall portion 265. To enable this process, in this embodiment, the distance in the first horizontal direction between the protrusion 30 and the third flange portion 285 is shorter than the length (outer diameter) of the main portion 42 of the coil 40 in the first horizontal direction. The distance between the inner walls 26 of the housing groove 22 in the first horizontal direction is shorter than the inside dimension (inner diameter) of the main portion 42 of the coil 40 in the first horizontal direction.

[0050] Finally, the magnetic sheet 60 (see FIG. 1) is attached to the upper surface 201 of the support member 20. More specifically, the magnetic sheet 60 is attached to the upper part of the outer wall 24 by adhesive or the like so as to partially cover the main portion 42 of the coil 40.

[0051] As can be seen from FIG. 2, FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, in the completed antenna module 10, the lead-out portion 54 of the FPC 50 passes under the coil 40 and is led out to the outside of the support member 20 through the opening 249. With this configuration, even though the coil 40 is partially located above the lead-out portion 54 of the FPC 50, the main portion 42 of the coil 40 does not receive a direct force from the lead-out portion 54. This is because the fourth outer wall portion 247 of the outer wall 24 limits the deformation and movement of the lead-out portion 54. Therefore, for example, when mounting the antenna module 10 on a substrate (not shown), even if the lead-out portion 54 is deformed or moved by an external force, the main portion 42 of the coil 40 does not move within the accommodation groove 22 or come off from the accommodation groove 22. In addition, since the movement of the main portion 42 of the coil 40 is limited, the positional relationship between the main portion 42 of the coil 40 and the magnetic sheet 60 is maintained.

[0052] As can be seen from FIG. 9, a part of the main part 42 of the coil 40 is located below each of the first flange part 281 and the second flange part 283 when viewed from above. This configuration prevents or suppresses the main part 42 of the coil 40 from moving within the accommodation groove 22 or coming off from the accommodation groove 22. As a result, as can be seen from FIG. 4, the distance between the main part 42 of the coil 40 and the magnetic sheet 60 is kept constant regardless of the posture in which the antenna module 10 is mounted on the substrate (not shown). For example, even if the antenna module 10 is mounted upside down on the substrate, the distance between the main part 42 of the coil 40 and the magnetic sheet 60 is kept constant. In this way, an antenna module having desired antenna characteristics is obtained.

[0053] 9, in this embodiment, a portion of main portion 42 of coil 40 is located below third flange 285 and protrusion 30 when viewed from above. Similar to first flange 281 and second flange 283, third flange 285 and protrusion 30 prevent or inhibit movement of main portion 42 of coil 40, and maintain the positional relationship between main portion 42 of coil 40 and magnetic sheet 60. In this way, an antenna module that more reliably has the desired antenna characteristics can be obtained.

[0054] Although the present invention has been described above by presenting several embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the magnetic sheet 60 covers approximately half of the upper surface 201 of the support member 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. The magnetic sheet 60 may cover the entire upper surface 201 of the support member 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 Antenna Module 20 Support member 201 Top surface 203 Bottom surface 22 Storage Groove 24 Exterior Wall 241 1st outer wall section 243 2nd outer wall section 245 Third outer wall 247 4th outer wall 249 Opening 26 Inner wall 261 First inner wall 263 Second inner wall 265 Third Inner Wall 267 4th Inner Wall 271 First recess 273 Second Recess 275 3rd recess 28 Brim 281 First brim 283 Second brim 285 Third brim 30 protrusions 32 Ribs 34 Depression 361 First confirmation window 363 Second confirmation window 365 Third confirmation window 38 Holding part 381 Inserted part 383 Fixed part 40 Coil 42 Main Section 421 First side 423 Second Side 425 Third Side 427 Fourth Side 44 End 50 Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC) 501 Conductor Pattern 52 Connection 54 Drawer section 56 Through hole 60 Magnetic Sheet

Claims

1. An antenna module comprising a support member and a coil, The coil has a main portion, The support member has an outer wall and an inner wall that define an accommodating groove, at least one first flange portion, and at least one second flange portion, The at least one first flange portion protrudes from the outer wall in a first direction perpendicular to a vertical direction, The at least one second flange portion protrudes from the outer wall toward a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, The main portion of the coil is at least partially accommodated in the accommodation groove, A part of the main portion of the coil is located below the first flange portion and the second flange portion when viewed from above. Antenna module.

2. 2. The antenna module according to claim 1, the support member further has at least one third flange portion protruding from the outer wall toward a third direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, A part of the main portion of the coil is located below the third flange portion when viewed from above. Antenna module.

3. 2. The antenna module according to claim 1, The inner wall of the support member is provided with a first recess and a second recess, the first recess and the second recess correspond to the first flange and the second flange, respectively; The first recess is located on a side of the corresponding first flange in the first orientation and is recessed in the first orientation, The second recess is located on the second azimuth side of the corresponding second flange portion and is recessed in the second azimuth. Antenna module.

4. 2. The antenna module according to claim 1, The support member has an upper surface in which the accommodation groove is formed and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, A confirmation window is formed on the lower surface to allow visual confirmation that the coil is accommodated in the accommodation groove. Antenna module.

5. 2. The antenna module according to claim 1, the first flange portion has a shape that extends downward toward the first orientation in a cross section along a plane defined by the first orientation and the up-down direction, The second flange portion has a shape that slopes downward toward the second direction in a cross section along a plane defined by the second direction and the up-down direction. Antenna module.

6. 2. The antenna module according to claim 1, The antenna module further comprises a magnetic sheet, The magnetic sheet is attached to an upper portion of the outer wall so as to partially cover the main portion of the coil. Antenna module.

7. 2. The antenna module according to claim 1, The antenna module further comprises a flexible printed circuit board; The coil further has an end portion. the end is connected to the flexible printed circuit board; The flexible printed circuit board has an extraction portion, The drawn-out portion is partially drawn out to the outside of the support member in a third direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. Antenna module.

8. 8. The antenna module according to claim 7, The flexible printed circuit board has a plurality of through holes formed therein, The support member is formed with a plurality of holding portions corresponding to the through holes, The holding portion has an inserted portion inserted into the corresponding through hole, and a fixing portion located above the inserted portion and having a size larger than the through hole in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. Antenna module.

9. 9. The antenna module according to claim 7 or 8, The support member has an opening communicating with the accommodation groove, The opening is formed in a lower portion of the outer wall, The lead-out portion passes under the coil and is led out to the outside of the support member through the opening. Antenna module.

10. 9. The antenna module according to claim 7 or 8, The coil is partially located above the lead-out portion, The support member further includes two projections protruding from the outer wall toward a fourth direction opposite to the third direction, The two protrusions are positioned on either side of the drawer portion, An antenna module in which a portion of the main portion of the coil is located below the two protrusions when viewed from above.

11. An antenna module according to any one of claims 2 to 7, The support member has an upper surface in which the accommodation groove is formed and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, The lower surface is formed with a plurality of ribs intersecting each other and recesses located between adjacent ribs. Antenna module.

Images