Wireless communication device

Abstract

This wireless communication device comprises: a rectangular plate-shaped first case body; a rectangular plate-shaped second case body; a connecting part that connects the first and second case bodies; and a first GPS antenna. The first case body has end edges which form a rectangle. The end edges include: a first end edge connected to the connecting part; a second end edge opposing the first end edge; a third end edge connected to the first and second end edges; and a fourth end edge opposing the third end edge. A first recessed portion and a second recessed portion are formed in the second end edge, and a third recessed portion is formed between the center of the third end edge, in the longitudinal direction, and the second end edge. At least a portion of the first GPS antenna is disposed in the third recessed portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in wireless communication devices such as notebook computers and tablet computers, a configuration including a plurality of antennas has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The wireless communication device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an antenna for wireless LAN (Local Area Network) and an antenna for wireless WAN (Wide Area Network).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a wireless communication device including a plurality of antennas including a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna, capable of ensuring the characteristics of the GPS antenna while ensuring the characteristics of antennas other than the GPS antenna.

[0005] A wireless communication device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first housing in the shape of a rectangular plate containing metal, a display panel disposed on the first housing, a second housing in the shape of a rectangular plate containing metal, an input unit disposed on the second housing, a connection unit connecting the first housing and the second housing, a first GPS antenna that receives a signal from a satellite, and a communication circuit connected to the first GPS antenna and receiving a signal from the first GPS antenna. The first housing has a rectangular edge, and the edge includes a first edge connected to the connection unit, a second edge facing the first edge, a third edge connected to the first edge and the second edge, and a fourth edge facing the third edge. The first housing is rotatably connected to the second housing about the connection unit. The first housing has a first recess and a second recess formed in the second edge and recessed toward the inside of the first housing. The first housing further has a third recess formed between the longitudinal center of the third edge and the second edge and recessed toward the inside of the first housing. At least a part of the first GPS antenna is disposed in the third recess.

[0006] A wireless communication device according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a first housing that includes metal and has a rectangular plate shape, a display panel disposed on the first housing, a second housing that includes metal and has a rectangular plate shape, an input unit disposed on the second housing, a connection unit that connects the first housing and the second housing, and a first GPS antenna that receives a signal from a satellite. The first housing has a rectangular edge, and the edge includes a first edge connected to the connection unit, a second edge facing the first edge, a third edge connected to the first edge and the second edge, and a fourth edge facing the third edge. The first housing is rotatably connected to the second housing about the connection unit. The first housing has first and second recesses formed in at least one of the second edge, the third edge, and the fourth edge and recessed toward the inside of the first housing. The first GPS antenna includes a feeding element having a feeding point and a first ground line disposed at a distance from the feeding element in the longitudinal direction of the feeding element. The feeding element is disposed in the first recess, and the first ground line is disposed in the second recess.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a wireless communication device including a plurality of antennas including a GPS antenna and capable of ensuring the characteristics of the GPS antenna while ensuring the characteristics of the antennas other than the GPS antenna.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Note that all of the embodiments described below show comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0011] Also, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily drawn precisely. Also, in each figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

[0012] (Embodiment) A wireless communication device according to an embodiment will be described.

[0013] [1. Overall Configuration] First, the overall configuration of the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the wireless communication device 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic layout diagram showing the configuration of the wireless communication device 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication device 10 according to the present embodiment is a device that includes a plurality of antennas including a first GPS antenna 71 and a second GPS antenna 72 and performs wireless communication. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication device 10 is a notebook PC (Personal Computer). As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication device 10 includes a first part 11, a second part 12, and a connection part 13.

[0015] The connection part 13 is a member that connects the first part 11 and the second part 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connection part 13 has a first hinge 41 and a second hinge 42.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first part 11 includes a first cover 14, a display panel 20, a first WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) antenna 61, a second WWAN antenna 62, a third WWAN antenna 63, a first GPS antenna 71, a second GPS antenna 72, and a first WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) antenna 81. As shown in FIG. 2, the first part 11 further includes a first housing 51, a first WWAN cable 61a, a second WWAN cable 62a, a third WWAN cable 63a, a first GPS cable 71a, a second GPS cable 72a, and a first WLAN cable 81a.

[0017] The first cover 14 is a member that functions as the outer shell of the first part 11. The first cover 14 covers the parts of the components of the first part 11 other than the display surface of the display panel 20. The first cover 14 includes at least a part of an insulating material such as resin, for example. The first cover 14 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0018] The first housing 51 is a rectangular plate-shaped housing containing metal. The first housing 51 is rotatably connected to the second housing 52 about the connection part 13. Thereby, the relative position of the first housing 51 with respect to the second housing 52 can be changed. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, in the state where the wireless communication device 10 is opened, the state where the wireless communication device 10 is closed (the state where the first housing 51 is arranged to overlap the second housing 52), etc., the relative position state of the first housing 51 and the second housing 52 of the wireless communication device 10 can be freely changed. The first housing 51 is formed of a metal such as magnesium, for example. The potential of the first housing 51 is the ground potential of the wireless communication device 10.

[0019] In the present embodiment, the first housing 51 is not a strictly rectangular plate, but is a member having a generally rectangular shape in a plan view of the first housing 51. The first housing 51 has a rectangular edge 510.

[0020] The rectangular edge 510 of the first housing 51 includes a first edge 511, a second edge 512, a third edge 513, and a fourth edge 514.

[0021] The first edge 511 is a part of the rectangular edge 510 of the first housing 51 that includes the part connected to the connection portion 13.

[0022] The second edge 512 is a part of the rectangular edge 510 of the first housing 51 that faces the first edge 511. On the second edge 512, a first recess 531 and a second recess 532 that are recessed toward the inside of the first housing 51, and a first protrusion 541 that is located between the first recess 531 and the second recess 532 and protrudes toward the outside of the first housing 51 are formed. The first recess 531 is formed between the longitudinal center of the second edge 512 and the end on the third edge 513 side of the second edge 512. The second recess 532 is formed between the longitudinal center of the second edge 512 and the end on the fourth edge 514 side of the second edge 512. In the present embodiment, the first protrusion 541 is disposed at the longitudinal center of the second edge 512.

[0023] The third edge 513 is a part of the rectangular edge 510 of the first housing 51 that is connected to the first edge 511 and the second edge 512. In the present embodiment, on the third edge 513, a third recess 533 and a fifth recess 535 that are recessed toward the inside of the first housing 51, and a second protrusion 542 that is located between the third recess 533 and the fifth recess 535 and protrudes toward the outside of the first housing 51 are formed. The third recess 533 is formed between the longitudinal center of the third edge 513 and the end on the second edge 512 side of the third edge 513. The fifth recess 535 is formed between the longitudinal center of the third edge 513 and the end on the first edge 511 side of the third edge 513. In the present embodiment, the second protrusion 542 is disposed at the longitudinal center of the third edge 513.

[0024] The fourth edge 514 is a portion of the rectangular edge 510 of the first housing 51 that is connected to the first edge 511 and the second edge 512 and faces the third edge 513. In the present embodiment, the fourth edge 514 is formed with a fourth recess 534 and a sixth recess 536 that are recessed toward the inside of the first housing 51, and a third protrusion 543 that is located between the fourth recess 534 and the sixth recess 536 and protrudes toward the outside of the first housing 51. The fourth recess 534 is formed between the longitudinal center of the fourth edge 514 and the end on the second edge 512 side of the fourth edge 514. The sixth recess 536 is formed between the longitudinal center of the fourth edge 514 and the end on the first edge 511 side of the fourth edge 514. In the present embodiment, the third protrusion 543 is disposed at the longitudinal center of the fourth edge 514.

[0025] The display panel 20 is a flat display device that displays images. The display panel 20 is disposed in the first housing 51. More specifically, the display panel 20 is disposed substantially at the center of one main surface of the rectangular plate-shaped first housing 51 along the main surface. Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, signal lines for controlling the display panel 20, power lines for supplying power, etc. are connected to the display panel 20 and introduced into the second portion 12 via the connection portion 13.

[0026] The first WWAN antenna 61 is a main antenna that performs wireless communication via a wireless WAN. The first WWAN antenna 61 is an antenna corresponding to at least one of the fourth-generation mobile communication system (4G) and the fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G). In the present embodiment, the first WWAN antenna 61 corresponds to both 4G and 5G. The first WWAN antenna 61 is disposed in the first recess 531 of the first housing 51.

[0027] The first WWAN cable 61a is a cable connected to the first WWAN antenna 61. The first WWAN cable 61a transmits signals transmitted and received by the first WWAN antenna 61.

[0028] The second WWAN antenna 62 is a sub-antenna that performs wireless communication via a wireless WAN. The second WWAN antenna 62 is an antenna corresponding to at least one of 4G and 5G, and assists the function of the first WWAN antenna 61. In the present embodiment, the second WWAN antenna 62 corresponds to both 4G and 5G. Further, the second WWAN antenna 62 may include an antenna that performs wireless communication via a wireless LAN. Furthermore, the second WWAN antenna 62 may include an antenna that performs wireless communication based on the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. The second WWAN antenna 62 is disposed in the second recess 532 of the first housing 51.

[0029] The second WWAN cable 62a is a cable connected to the second WWAN antenna 62. The second WWAN cable 62a transmits the signals transmitted and received by the second WWAN antenna 62.

[0030] The third WWAN antenna 63 is a sub-antenna that performs wireless communication via a wireless WAN. The third WWAN antenna 63 is an antenna corresponding to at least one of 4G and 5G, and assists the function of the first WWAN antenna 61. In the present embodiment, the third WWAN antenna 63 corresponds to both 4G and 5G. The third WWAN antenna 63 is disposed in the fifth recess 535 of the first housing 51.

[0031] The third WWAN cable 63a is a cable connected to the third WWAN antenna 63. The third WWAN cable 63a transmits the signals transmitted and received by the third WWAN antenna 63.

[0032] The first GPS antenna 71 is a GPS antenna that receives signals from artificial satellites. In the present embodiment, the first GPS antenna 71 receives signals in the L5 band (1176 MHz band) of GPS. Further, the first GPS antenna 71 is also an antenna that performs wireless communication via a wireless WAN. The first GPS antenna 71 is also used for at least one of 4G and 5G. At least a part of the first GPS antenna 71 is disposed in the third recess 533 of the first housing 51.

[0033] The first GPS cable 71a is a cable connected to the first GPS antenna 71. The first GPS cable 71a transmits the signal received by the first GPS antenna 71.

[0034] The second GPS antenna 72 is a GPS antenna that receives signals from artificial satellites. In the present embodiment, the second GPS antenna 72 receives signals in the L1 band (1575 MHz band), L2 band (1227 MHz band), and L5 band of GPS. At least a part of the second GPS antenna 72 is disposed in the fourth recess 534 of the first housing 51.

[0035] The second GPS cable 72a is a cable connected to the second GPS antenna 72. The second GPS cable 72a transmits the signal received by the second GPS antenna 72.

[0036] The first WLAN antenna 81 is an antenna that performs wireless communication via a wireless LAN. In the present embodiment, the first WLAN antenna 81 transmits and receives signals in at least one of the 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band of the wireless LAN. The first WLAN antenna 81 is disposed in the sixth recess 536 of the first housing 51.

[0037] The first WLAN cable 81a is a cable connected to the first WLAN antenna 81. The first WLAN cable 81a transmits the signal transmitted and received by the first WLAN antenna 81.

[0038] The configurations of the above antennas and the above cables are not particularly limited as long as they can transmit and receive signals of frequencies corresponding to each application. In the present embodiment, each antenna is a substrate antenna having an insulating substrate and a conductive film disposed on the insulating substrate, or an LDS antenna (Laser Direst Structuring) having a conductive film disposed on a resin, and each of the above cables is a coaxial cable.

[0039] In addition, each antenna has a flat plate shape arranged along a plane intersecting the second housing 52 in a state where the second edge 512 of the first housing 51 is closest to the second housing 52 (that is, in a state where the wireless communication device 10 is closed). In other words, each antenna has a flat plate shape arranged along a direction intersecting the main surface of the first housing 51 (that is, a plane parallel to the display surface of the display panel 20). Thereby, the influence of the second housing 52 on the characteristics of each antenna can be reduced. In the present embodiment, each antenna has a flat plate shape arranged along a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the first housing 51. In other words, each antenna is arranged such that the projected area of each antenna on the main surface of the first housing 51 is minimized. Thereby, the influence of the second housing 52 on the characteristics of each antenna can be minimized.

[0040] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the above cables is introduced into the second housing 52 via the first hinge 41 of the connection portion 13. That is, each cable is inserted into the connection portion 13, one end of each cable is arranged in the first housing 51, and the other end is arranged in the second housing 52. Each cable is connected to a relay board 21 described later.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second unit 12 includes a second cover 15 and an input unit 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the second unit 12 further includes a second housing 52, a relay board 21, a communication circuit 22, a control circuit 23, a memory circuit 24, and an antenna terminal 25.

[0042] The second cover 15 is a member that functions as an outer shell of the second unit 12. The second cover 15 covers the second unit 12 except for the operation surface of the input unit 30 among the components of the second unit 12. The second cover 15 includes at least a part of an insulating material such as resin, for example. The second cover 15 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0043] The second housing 52 contains metal and is a rectangular plate-shaped housing. The second housing 52 is formed of a metal such as magnesium, for example. The second housing 52 has the same potential as the first housing 51. That is, the potential of the second housing 52 is also the ground potential of the wireless communication device 10, similar to the potential of the first housing 51.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the second housing 52 is not a strictly rectangular plate, but is a member having a generally rectangular shape in a plan view of the second housing 52. The second housing 52 has a rectangular edge 520.

[0045] The rectangular edge 520 of the second housing 52 includes a first edge 521, a second edge 522, a third edge 523, and a fourth edge 524.

[0046] The first edge 521 is a portion of the rectangular edge 520 of the second housing 52 that includes the portion connected to the connection portion 13.

[0047] The second edge 522 is a portion of the rectangular edge 520 of the second housing 52 that faces the first edge 521.

[0048] The third edge 523 is a portion of the rectangular edge 520 of the second housing 52 that is connected to the first edge 521 and the second edge 522.

[0049] The fourth edge 524 is a portion of the rectangular edge 520 of the second housing 52 that is connected to the first edge 521 and the second edge 522 and faces the third edge 523.

[0050] The input unit 30 is disposed on the second housing 52 and is a component for a user of the wireless communication device 10 to input information to the wireless communication device 10. In the present embodiment, the input unit 30 includes a keyboard 31 and a pointing device 32.

[0051] The relay board 21 is a board that relays communication between each antenna and the communication circuit 22. The relay board 21 is connected to the first WWAN cable 61a, the second WWAN cable 62a, the third WWAN cable 63a, the first GPS cable 71a, the second GPS cable 72a, and the first WLAN cable 81a, and is also connected to the communication circuit 22. In this embodiment, the relay board 21 further relays communication between the antenna terminal 25 and the communication circuit 22. The relay board 21 is disposed at a position closer to the first hinge 41 than the second hinge 42 of the connection portion 13. That is, the distance from the relay board 21 to the first hinge 41 is shorter than the distance from the relay board 21 to the second hinge 42.

[0052] The communication circuit 22 is a circuit that is connected to the first GPS antenna 71 and receives signals from the first GPS antenna 71. In this embodiment, the communication circuit 22 is connected to the first WWAN antenna 61, the second WWAN antenna 62, the third WWAN antenna 63, and the first WLAN antenna 81, and transmits and receives signals to and from the first WWAN antenna 61, the second WWAN antenna 62, the third WWAN antenna 63, and the first WLAN antenna 81. Further, the communication circuit 22 is connected to the second GPS antenna 72 and receives signals from the second GPS antenna 72. The communication circuit 22 may be disposed at a position closer to the first hinge 41 than the second hinge 42 of the connection portion 13.

[0053] The control circuit 23 is a circuit that controls the wireless communication device 10. The control circuit 23 controls the display panel 20, the communication circuit 22, etc. of the wireless communication device 10 based on signals from the input unit 30, etc. The control circuit 23 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0054] The memory circuit 24 is a circuit in which programs, data, etc. for controlling the wireless communication device 10 are stored. Other data may be stored in the memory circuit 24. The memory circuit 24 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc.

[0055] The antenna terminal 25 is a terminal for transmitting and receiving signals to and from an antenna disposed outside the wireless communication device 10.

[0056] The first hinge 41 and the second hinge 42 of the connection part 13 are components that connect the first housing 51 of the first part 11 and the second housing 52 of the second part 12. In this way, the connection part 13 connects the first part 11 and the second part 12 by connecting the first housing 51 and the second housing 52.

[0057] The first hinge 41 is disposed between the longitudinal center of the first edge 511 of the first housing 51 and the end on the third edge 513 side of the first edge 511. The second hinge 42 is disposed between the longitudinal center of the first edge 511 of the first housing 51 and the end on the fourth edge 514 side of the first edge 511. The first hinge 41 and the second hinge 42 have tubular portions into which each cable can be inserted.

[0058] [2. Antenna Arrangement] The arrangement of each antenna according to this embodiment will be described. As described above, the plurality of antennas included in the wireless communication device 10 according to this embodiment are respectively disposed in a plurality of recesses of the first housing 51. Each recess is a notch portion in which the conductive material constituting the first housing 51 is not disposed in a plan view of the first housing 51. By disposing the antenna in such a recess, the influence of the first housing 51 including the conductive material on the characteristics of each antenna can be reduced. Further, the plurality of recesses are located in the bezel (frame) region outside the region where the display panel 20 is disposed in the first housing 51. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the structural strength of the first housing 51 in the region where the display panel 20 is disposed. Further, by disposing the plurality of antennas in the bezel region, the bezel region can be effectively utilized, so that the wireless communication device 10 can be made more space-saving than when a separate region for disposing the plurality of antennas is provided.

[0059] As described above, by forming a recess in the first housing 51 and arranging the antenna in the recess, the influence of the first housing 51 on the antenna characteristics can be suppressed. However, depending on the position of the recess, the influence of the first housing 51 and the like on the antenna characteristics varies. Also, depending on the position of the recess, the length of the cable from the antenna to the communication circuit 22 is different.

[0060] First, the relationship between the position of the recess and the antenna characteristics will be described. The wireless communication device 10 is often used while being arranged on a conductive member such as a metal desk, for example. Also, the wireless communication device 10 is often used in a state as shown in FIG. 1. That is, the wireless communication device 10 is often used in a state where the main surface of the second unit 12 is parallel to the upper surface of the desk, and the first unit 11 having the display panel 20 is inclined at an angle close to 90 degrees with respect to the second unit 12. Also, the user's hand often positions on the input unit 30 of the second unit 12. For this reason, among the plurality of recesses formed in the first housing 51, the antenna arranged in the recess close to the connection unit 13 is likely to be affected by the second housing 52 of the second unit 12, the desk on which the wireless communication device 10 is arranged, the user's hand, and the like.

[0061] Also, generally, the second edge 512 where the first recess 531 and the second recess 532 are formed is often longer than the third edge 513 where the third recess 533 and the fifth recess 535 are formed, and the fourth edge 514 where the fourth recess 534 and the sixth recess 536 are formed. For this reason, the first recess 531 and the second recess 532 can often secure a wider space than the other recesses.

[0062] Therefore, the most advantageous positions for obtaining the desired characteristics of the antenna are the first recess 531 and the second recess 532, the next advantageous positions are the third recess 533 and the fourth recess 534, and the most disadvantageous positions are the fifth recess 535 and the sixth recess 536.

[0063] Next, the length of the cable from the antenna to the communication circuit 22 will be described. The longer the cable length, the greater the signal attenuation and the more susceptible it is to noise. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the antenna placement considering both the antenna characteristics and the cable length.

[0064] In this embodiment, all of the plurality of cables connecting the plurality of antennas and the relay substrate 21 are inserted into the first hinge 41. As a result, each cable is sandwiched between the first part 11 and the second part 12, suppressing damage to each cable. Also, since the relay substrate 21 is disposed at a position closer to the first hinge 41 than the second hinge 42, the length of each cable in the second housing 52 can be reduced by inserting each cable into the first hinge 41.

[0065] Therefore, in this embodiment, from the perspective of the cable length, the recess closer to the first hinge 41 is more advantageous than the recess farther from the first hinge 41. That is, the first recess 531 is more advantageous than the second recess 532, the third recess 533 is more advantageous than the fourth recess 534, and the fifth recess 535 is more advantageous than the sixth recess 536.

[0066] As described above, among the plurality of recesses formed in the first housing 51, one of the plurality of wireless WAN antennas that requires high antenna characteristics in a wide frequency band including a relatively low frequency band is disposed in the first recess 531. As the frequency band becomes lower, a larger antenna is required, but in the first recess 531, a relatively large space can be secured as described above, so a relatively large antenna for the low frequency band can be disposed. In this embodiment, the first WWAN antenna 61, which is the main antenna among the plurality of wireless WAN antennas, is disposed in the first recess 531.

[0067] The second WWAN antenna 62, which is a sub-antenna among the plurality of wireless WAN antennas, is disposed in the second recess 532, which is the next most advantageous after the first recess 531.

[0068] In the third recessed portion 533 and the fourth recessed portion 534, a first GPS antenna 71 and a second GPS antenna 72, which require antenna characteristics in a relatively low frequency band, are respectively arranged. The first GPS antenna 71 and the second GPS antenna 72 receive signals from artificial satellites. For this reason, when the wireless communication device 10 is in use, being located vertically above is less likely to be affected by conductive members arranged around, the user's body, etc. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, by arranging each GPS antenna in the third recessed portion 533 and the fourth recessed portion 534 that are located vertically above when the wireless communication device 10 is in use, a decrease in antenna characteristics can be suppressed. In the present embodiment, since the first GPS antenna 71 also serves as a WWAN antenna that performs wireless communication via a wireless WAN, the first GPS antenna 71 is arranged in the third recessed portion 533 which is more advantageous than the fourth recessed portion 534.

[0069] In the fifth recessed portion 535, a third WWAN antenna 63, which requires high antenna characteristics in a wide frequency band including a relatively low frequency band among the third WWAN antenna 63 and the first WLAN antenna 81, is arranged. In the remaining sixth recessed portion 536, the first WLAN antenna 81 is arranged.

[0070] As described above, by arranging a plurality of antennas in a plurality of recessed portions respectively, desired characteristics can be obtained for each antenna. Especially as in the present embodiment, even when the WWAN antenna is arranged in both the first recessed portion 531 and the second recessed portion 532 in order to enhance the characteristics of the WWAN antenna, by arranging two GPS antennas in the third recessed portion 533 and the fourth recessed portion 534, a GPS antenna having desired characteristics can be realized. That is, in the present embodiment, a wireless communication device 10 can be realized which includes a plurality of antennas including a GPS antenna and can ensure the characteristics of the GPS antenna while ensuring the characteristics of the antennas other than the GPS antenna.

[0071] [3. GPS Antenna] The configuration of the GPS antenna according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the second GPS antenna 72 and the first WLAN antenna 81 according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of the second GPS antenna 72 and the first WLAN antenna 81 according to this embodiment.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second GPS antenna 72 includes a substrate 724, a feeding element 721, and ground lines 722 and 723. The second GPS antenna 72 is fixed to the fixing portions 591 and 592 of the first housing 51 by screws 91 and 92. Screw holes corresponding to the screws 91 and 92 are formed in the fixing portions 591 and 592, respectively.

[0073] The substrate 724 is an insulating substrate that serves as a base for the second GPS antenna 72. As the substrate 724, for example, a glass epoxy substrate or the like can be used.

[0074] The feeding element 721 is a conductive member having a feeding point 720. In this embodiment, the feeding element 721 is a conductive film formed in a predetermined shape on the substrate 724. The feeding point 720 is the point to which the core wire of the second GPS cable 72a is connected. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the illustration of each cable is omitted. The feeding element 721 is grounded at a position separated from the feeding point 720. In this embodiment, it is electrically connected to the first housing 51 via a conductive screw 92.

[0075] The ground line 722 is a conductive member disposed at a distance from the feeding element 721 in the longitudinal direction of the feeding element 721 (that is, the vertical direction in FIGS. 3 and 4). In this embodiment, the ground line 722 is an example of a first ground line disposed in the sixth recess 536 adjacent to the fourth recess 534 in which the feeding element 721 is disposed. In this embodiment, a third protrusion 543 is disposed between the feeding element 721 and the ground line 722. In this embodiment, since the first WLAN antenna 81 disposed in the sixth recess 536 adjacent to the fourth recess 534 is relatively small, the ground line 722 can be disposed using the empty space in the sixth recess 536.

[0076] The ground wire 722 is grounded by being electrically connected to the first housing 51. Specifically, the ground wire 722 is electrically connected to the first housing 51 via a conductive screw 93. That is, the ground wire 722 is electrically connected to the power supply element 721 via the screw 93, the first housing 51, and the screw 92. Since the electrical length between the ground wire 722 and the power supply element 721 is relatively short (that is, because it is equal to or less than the effective wavelength of the electromagnetic wave at 1575 MHz), the ground wire 722 can function as part of the second GPS antenna 72. In the present embodiment, from the point where the power supply element 721 is electrically connected to the first housing 51 (that is, the contact point between the power supply element 721 and the screw 92) to the point where the ground wire 722 is electrically connected to the first housing 51 (that is, the contact point between the ground wire 722 and the screw 93), the electrical length is equal to or less than 1 / 2 of the effective wavelength of the electromagnetic wave received by the second GPS antenna 72. To realize such a configuration, in the present embodiment, the ground wire 722 is electrically connected to the first housing 51 by the screw 93 at a position closer to the power supply element 721 than the longitudinal center of the ground wire 722. Further, the power supply element 721 is electrically connected to the first housing 51 by the screw 92 at a position closer to the ground wire 722 than the longitudinal center of the power supply element 721. In the present application, the "effective wavelength of the electromagnetic wave" means the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave propagating in the medium. The wavelength of the electromagnetic wave propagating in the medium becomes shorter than the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave propagating in a vacuum according to the dielectric constant of the medium. This shortened wavelength is referred to as the "effective wavelength". In FIG. 3, due to the influence of the base materials of the substrates 724 and 813 and the resin on the substrates 724 and 813, etc., the effective wavelength of the electromagnetic wave received by the second GPS antenna 72 may become shorter.

[0077] The length of the ground wire 722 in the longitudinal direction (i.e., the vertical direction in FIGS. 3 and 4) is approximately 1 / 4 of the effective wavelength of the 1575 MHz electromagnetic wave corresponding to the L1 band of GPS. The length of the ground wire 722 in the longitudinal direction may be 1 / 6 or more and 1 / 3 or less of the effective wavelength of the 1575 MHz electromagnetic wave. Thereby, in the ground wire 722, the signal of the L1 band in the second GPS antenna 72 can be resonated, so that the antenna efficiency in the L1 band of the second GPS antenna 72 can be increased. Note that the length of the ground wire 722 in the longitudinal direction may be approximately 1 / 4 of the effective wavelength corresponding to other bands of GPS.

[0078] The ground wire 723 is a conductive member disposed at a distance from the power feeding element 721 in the longitudinal direction of the power feeding element 721 (i.e., the vertical direction in FIGS. 3 and 4). The ground wire 723 is an example of a second ground wire disposed in the fourth recess 534 together with the power feeding element 721. The ground wire 723 is grounded by being electrically connected to the first housing 51. Specifically, the ground wire 723 is electrically connected to the first housing 51 via a conductive screw 91. As described above, a part (substrate 724, power feeding element 721, ground wire 723) of the second GPS antenna 72 is disposed in the fourth recess 534, and another part (ground wire 722) of the second GPS antenna 72 is disposed in the sixth recess 536. Similarly, a part (substrate, power feeding element, second ground wire) of the first GPS antenna 71 is disposed in the third recess 533, and another part (first ground wire) of the first GPS antenna 71 is disposed in the fifth recess 535.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first WLAN antenna 81 includes a substrate 813, a power feeding element 811, and a ground wire 812. The first WLAN antenna 81 is fixed to the fixing portions 593 and 594 of the first housing 51 by screws 93 and 94. Screw holes corresponding to the screws 93 and 94 are respectively formed in the fixing portions 593 and 594.

[0080] The substrate 813 is an insulating substrate serving as a base of the first WLAN antenna 81. As the substrate 813, for example, a glass epoxy substrate or the like can be used.

[0081] The power supply element 811 is a conductive member having a power supply point 810. In the present embodiment, the power supply element 811 is a conductive film formed in a predetermined shape on the substrate 813. The power supply point 810 is a point to which the core wire of the first WLAN cable 81a is connected.

[0082] The ground wire 812 is a conductive member arranged at a distance from the power supply element 811 in the longitudinal direction of the power supply element 811 (that is, the vertical direction in FIGS. 3 and 4). The ground wire 812 is arranged in the sixth recess 536 together with the power supply element 811. The ground wire 812 is grounded by being electrically connected to the first housing 51. Specifically, the ground wire 812 is electrically connected to the first housing 51 via a conductive screw 94.

[0083] Hereinafter, the effect of the second GPS antenna 72 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 while comparing it with the GPS antenna of the comparative example. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the antenna efficiency of the second GPS antenna 72 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, the antenna efficiency of the second GPS antenna 72 in the L1, L2, and L5 bands of GPS is shown by a solid line. The horizontal axis of the graph in FIG. 5 indicates the frequency, and the vertical axis indicates the antenna efficiency. In addition, in FIG. 5, the antenna efficiency in the state where the wireless communication device 10 is open and the state where it is closed is also shown by a broken line. The state where the wireless communication device 10 is open is a state where the first part 11 is inclined at an angle of nearly 90 degrees with respect to the second part 12 as shown in FIG. 1. The state where the wireless communication device 10 is closed is a state where the second edge 512 of the first housing 51 is closest to the second housing 52. In other words, the state where the wireless communication device 10 is closed is a state where the display surface of the display panel 20 is closest to the second part 12 so that the display panel 20 of the first part 11 is covered by the second part 12.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 5, in the second GPS antenna 72 according to the present embodiment, by having the ground line 722, compared with the GPS antenna of the comparative example, the antenna efficiency in the L2 band and the L5 band is slightly reduced, and the antenna efficiency in the L1 band can be significantly improved. In particular, the antenna efficiency in the L1 band can be significantly improved when the wireless communication device 10 is in the closed state. When the wireless communication device 10 is in the closed state, since the second GPS antenna 72 and the second housing 52 approach each other, the antenna efficiency of the second GPS antenna 72 decreases. In the present embodiment, since the second GPS antenna 72 has the ground line 722, the antenna efficiency in the frequency band resonating in the ground line 722 can be increased. In the present embodiment, since the length of the ground line 722 in the longitudinal direction is about 1 / 4 of the effective wavelength of the electromagnetic wave of 1575 MHz corresponding to the L1 band, the antenna efficiency in the L1 band can be increased. Since the second GPS antenna 72 (and the first GPS antenna 71) may continue to be used to utilize the position information even when the wireless communication device 10 is in the closed state, such an effect by the ground line 722 is particularly beneficial.

[0085] Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second GPS antenna 72 has a flat plate shape arranged along a plane intersecting the main surface of the first housing 51. That is, in the state where the wireless communication device 10 is closed (the state where the second edge 512 of the first housing 51 is closest to the second housing 52), it has a flat plate shape arranged along a plane intersecting the second housing 52. Thereby, the influence of the second housing 52 on the characteristics of each second GPS antenna 72 can be reduced. In the present embodiment, the second GPS antenna 72 has a flat plate shape arranged along a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the first housing 51. In other words, the second GPS antenna 72 is arranged so that the projected area of the second GPS antenna 72 on the main surface of the first housing 51 is minimized. Thereby, the influence of the second housing 52 on the characteristics of the second GPS antenna 72 can be minimized.

[0086] (Modification example, etc.) As described above, the present disclosure has been explained based on the above embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. As long as the gist of the present disclosure is not deviated from, various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art applied to the above embodiments may also be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0087] For example, although the wireless communication device 10 according to the above embodiment includes the relay substrate 21, it may not include the relay substrate 21. That is, the cable connected to each antenna may be directly connected to the communication circuit 22.

[0088] Also, in the above embodiment, the second GPS antenna 72 has been described in detail, but the first GPS antenna 71 may have the same configuration as the second GPS antenna 72. That is, the first GPS antenna may include a feeding element having a feeding point and a ground wire disposed at a distance from the feeding element in the longitudinal direction of the feeding element. Further, the ground wire may be disposed in the fifth recess 535.

[0089] Also, the first GPS antenna 71 and the second GPS antenna 72 may be disposed in recesses other than the third recess and the fourth recess. That is, at least one of the second edge 512, the third edge 513, and the fourth edge 514 of the first housing 51 is formed with a first recess and a second recess recessed toward the inside of the first housing 51, and the first GPS antenna 71 or the second GPS antenna 72 may be disposed in the first recess or the second recess. For example, when the second GPS antenna 72 is disposed in the first recess, the feeding element 721 may be disposed in the first recess, and the ground wire 722 may be disposed in the second recess. Here, the ground wire 722 is an example of a first ground wire disposed at a distance from the feeding element 721 in the longitudinal direction of the feeding element 721 and disposed in the second recess.

[0090] Also, the ground wire 723 of the second GPS antenna 72 may be disposed in the first recess. In this case, the feeding element 721 is disposed between the ground wire 722 and the ground wire 723. Here, the ground wire 723 is an example of a second ground wire disposed at a distance from the feeding element in the longitudinal direction of the feeding element and disposed in the first recess.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the relay substrate 21 is disposed at a position closer to the first hinge 41 than the second hinge 42. However, when the relay substrate 21 is closer to the second hinge 42, each cable may be introduced into the second housing 52 via the second hinge 42. In this case, the recess closer to the second hinge 42 becomes a recess advantageous for the antenna.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the connection portion 13 has only the first hinge 41 and the second hinge 42. However, the connection portion 13 may have three or more hinges.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the wireless communication device 10 is a notebook PC, but it may be a wireless communication device other than a notebook PC. For example, the wireless communication device 10 may be a clamshell-type smartphone or the like.

[0094] In addition, modes realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions in each embodiment without departing from the gist of the present disclosure are also included in the present disclosure.

Industrial Applicability

[0095] The antenna device of the present disclosure includes two antennas, and can be used as an antenna device that can achieve miniaturization while ensuring isolation between these two antennas, for example, in communication terminals such as tablet terminals, notebook PCs, and smartphones.

Explanation of Signs

[0096] 10 Wireless communication device 11 First part 12 Second part 13 Connection portion 14 First cover 15 Second cover 20 Display panel 21 Relay substrate 22 Communication circuit 23 Control circuit 24 Memory circuit 25 Antenna Terminals 30 Input Section 31 Keyboard 32 Pointing Device 41 First Hinge 42 Second Hinge 51 First Housing 52 Second Housing 61 First WWAN Antenna 61a First WWAN Cable 62 Second WWAN Antenna 62a Second WWAN Cable 63 Third WWAN Antenna 63a Third WWAN Cable 71 First GPS Antenna 71a First GPS Cable 72 Second GPS Antenna 72a Second GPS Cable 81 First WLAN Antenna 81a First WLAN Cable 91, 92, 93, 94 Screws 510, 520 Edges 511, 521 First Edge 512, 522 Second Edge 513, 523 Third Edge 514, 524 Fourth Edge 531 First Recess 532 Second Recess 533 Third Recess 534 Fourth Recess 535 Fifth Recess 536 Sixth Recess 541 First Protrusion 542 Second Protrusion 543 Third Protrusion 591, 592, 593, 594 Fixing Parts 720, 810 Feeding Points 721, 811 Feeding Elements 722, 723, 812 Ground Lines 724, 813 Substrates

Claims

1. A first housing in the shape of a rectangular plate, containing metal, A display panel disposed in the first housing, A second housing in the shape of a rectangular plate, containing metal, An input unit disposed in the second housing, A connection part connecting the first housing and the second housing, A first GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna for receiving signals from artificial satellites, A communication circuit connected to the first GPS antenna for receiving signals from the first GPS antenna, The first housing has a rectangular edge, The edge includes a first edge connected to the connection part, a second edge opposite to the first edge, a third edge connected to the first edge and the second edge, and a fourth edge opposite to the third edge, The first housing is rotatably connected to the second housing about the connection part, The first housing has a first recess and a second recess formed in the second edge and recessed toward the inside of the first housing, The first housing further has a third recess formed between the longitudinal center of the third edge and the second edge and recessed toward the inside of the first housing, At least a part of the first GPS antenna is disposed in the third recess A wireless communication device.

2. A first WWAN antenna which is a main antenna for performing wireless communication via a wireless WAN (Wide Area Network), A second WWAN antenna which is a sub-antenna for performing wireless communication via a wireless WAN, The first WWAN antenna is disposed in the first recess, The second WWAN antenna is disposed in the second recess The wireless communication device according to Claim 1.

3. A first WWAN cable connected to the first WWAN antenna, A second WWAN cable connected to the second WWAN antenna, A first GPS cable connected to the first GPS antenna, The connection part has a first hinge disposed between the longitudinal center of the first edge and the third edge, and a second hinge disposed between the longitudinal center of the first edge and the fourth edge, The first WWAN cable, the second WWAN cable, and the first GPS cable are introduced into the second housing via the first hinge The wireless communication device according to Claim 2.

4. The first GPS antenna further performs wireless communication via a wireless WAN The wireless communication device according to Claim 3.

5. a second GPS antenna for receiving signals from a satellite; a second GPS cable connected to the second GPS antenna; and the first housing further has a fourth recess formed between the longitudinal center of the fourth edge and the second edge and recessed toward the inside of the first housing; the second GPS antenna is disposed in the fourth recess; the second GPS cable is introduced into the second housing via the first hinge The wireless communication device according to claim 3 or 4.

6. a third WWAN antenna for performing wireless communication via a wireless WAN; a third WWAN cable connected to the third WWAN antenna; and the first housing further has a fifth recess formed between the longitudinal center of the third edge and the first edge and recessed toward the inside of the first housing; the third WWAN antenna is disposed in the fifth recess; the third WWAN cable is introduced into the second housing via the first hinge The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. a first WLAN antenna for performing wireless communication via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network); a first WLAN cable connected to the first WLAN antenna; and the first housing further has a sixth recess formed between the longitudinal center of the fourth edge and the first edge and recessed toward the inside of the first housing; the first WLAN antenna is disposed in the sixth recess; the first WLAN cable is introduced into the second housing via the first hinge The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

8. further comprising a relay board to which the first WWAN cable, the second WWAN cable, and the first GPS cable are connected and which is connected to the communication circuit; the relay board is disposed in the second housing at a position closer to the first hinge than the second hinge The wireless communication device according to claim 7.

9. the first GPS antenna has a flat plate shape disposed along a plane intersecting the second housing in a state where the second edge of the first housing is closest to the second housing; The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

10. the first GPS antenna is disposed in the third recess and has a feeding element having a feeding point; A ground wire that is arranged at a distance from the power supply element in the longitudinal direction of the power supply element and is arranged in the third recess The wireless communication device according to claim 1 or 9.

11. The first housing further has a fifth recess that is formed between the longitudinal center of the third edge and the first edge and is recessed toward the inside of the first housing. The first GPS antenna A power supply element that is arranged in the third recess and has a power supply point, and A ground wire that is arranged at a distance from the power supply element in the longitudinal direction of the power supply element and is arranged in the fifth recess The wireless communication device according to claim 1 or 9.

12. The ground wire is electrically connected to the first housing. The wireless communication device according to claim 10 or 11.

13. A first housing that includes metal and has a rectangular plate shape, A display panel arranged on the first housing, A second housing that includes metal and has a rectangular plate shape, An input unit arranged on the second housing, A connection unit that connects the first housing and the second housing, A first GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna that receives signals from artificial satellites, and The first housing has a rectangular edge, The edge includes a first edge connected to the connection unit, a second edge opposite to the first edge, a third edge connected to the first edge and the second edge, and a fourth edge opposite to the third edge. The first housing is rotatably connected to the second housing about the connection unit. The first housing has a first recess and a second recess that are formed in at least one of the second edge, the third edge, and the fourth edge and are recessed toward the inside of the first housing. The first GPS antenna A power supply element having a power supply point, and A first ground wire that is arranged at a distance from the power supply element in the longitudinal direction of the power supply element. The power supply element is arranged in the first recess. The first ground wire is arranged in the second recess. Wireless communication device.

14. The length of the first ground wire in the longitudinal direction is 1 / 6 or more and 1 / 3 or less of the effective wavelength of the electromagnetic wave received by the first GPS antenna. The wireless communication device according to claim 13.

15. The first GPS antenna has a flat plate shape that is arranged along a plane that intersects the second housing in a state where the second edge of the first housing is closest to the second housing. The wireless communication device according to claim 13 or 14.

16. The first ground wire is electrically connected to the first housing at a position closer to the power feeding element than the longitudinal center of the first ground wire. The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

17. The power feeding element is electrically connected to the first housing at a position closer to the first ground wire than the longitudinal center of the power feeding element. The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 13 to 16.

18. The electrical length from the point where the power feeding element is electrically connected to the first housing to the point where the first ground wire is electrically connected to the first housing is equal to or less than 1 / 2 of the effective wavelength of the electromagnetic wave received by the first GPS antenna. The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 13 to 17.

19. The first GPS antenna further has a second ground wire disposed at a distance from the power feeding element in the longitudinal direction of the power feeding element. The second ground wire is disposed in the first recess. The power feeding element is disposed between the first ground wire and the second ground wire. The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 13 to 18.

20. The second ground wire is electrically connected to the first housing. The wireless communication device according to claim 19.

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