Antenna module and portable electronic device using this antenna module

Abstract

To provide an antenna module and a portable electronic device using the same.SOLUTION: The antenna module includes a flexible substrate, a first antenna circuit, and a second antenna circuit. The flexible substrate includes a first body part, a second body part, an L-shaped bending part having a first end and a second end facing each other, the first end connected to the first body part, and a U-shaped bending part having a first end and a second end facing each other, the first end connected to the second end of the L-shaped bending part, and the second end connected to the second body part. The first antenna circuit is provided in the first body part. The second antenna circuit is provided in the second body part. A portable electronic device includes the antenna module and a housing. The antenna module is provided within a corner of the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an antenna module and a portable electronic device using the antenna module.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the progress of science and technology, electronic products such as tablet personal computers (tablet PCs), notebook computers (NBs), smart phones, or other portable devices have frequently appeared in daily life. To meet the needs of miniaturization of portable electronic devices, the antenna module of a portable electronic device is usually provided at a corner of the portable electronic device so as to save the internal space of the portable electronic device.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the present invention provides an antenna module and a portable electronic device using the antenna module, which can efficiently use the space at the corner of the portable electronic device and at the same time provide a plurality of antenna radiation directions to meet the wireless communication needs of the portable electronic device.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the antenna module includes a flexible substrate, a first antenna circuit, and a second antenna circuit. The flexible substrate has a first main body portion, a second main body portion, a first end and a second end facing each other, an L-shaped bent portion having the first end connected to the first main body portion, and a U-shaped bent portion having a first end and a second end facing each other, the first end being connected to the second end of the L-shaped bent portion and the second end being connected to the second main body portion. The first antenna circuit is provided on the first main body portion. The second antenna circuit is provided on the second main body portion.

[0005] In some embodiments, the antenna module further comprises an antenna communication chip electrically connected to the first antenna circuit and the second antenna circuit, and performs wireless communication using the first antenna circuit and the second antenna circuit. The antenna communication chip is located on the first side of the L-shaped bent portion, the second main body portion is located on the second side of the L-shaped bent portion, and the first side faces the second side.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first antenna circuit is provided on the first substrate surface of the flexible substrate, and the second antenna circuit and the antenna communication chip are provided on the second substrate surface of the flexible substrate. The first substrate surface faces the second substrate surface.

[0007] In some embodiments, the flexible substrate is a Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) substrate.

[0008] In some embodiments, at least one of the L-shaped bent portion and the U-shaped bent portion is processed by a de-cap process and has a thickness smaller than that of the first main body portion and the second main body portion.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the antenna module includes a flexible substrate, a first antenna circuit, and a second antenna circuit. The flexible substrate has a first main body portion, a second main body portion, a first end and a second end that face each other. The first U-shaped bent portion has a first end and a second end that face each other, and the first end is connected to the first main body portion. The L-shaped bent portion has a first end and a second end that face each other, and the first end is connected to the second end of the first U-shaped bent portion. The second U-shaped bent portion has a first end and a second end that face each other, and the first end is connected to the second end of the L-shaped bent portion, and the second end is connected to the second main body portion. The first antenna circuit is provided on the first main body portion. The second antenna circuit is provided on the second main body portion.

[0010] In some embodiments, the antenna module further includes an antenna communication chip electrically connected to the first antenna circuit and the second antenna circuit, and performing wireless communication by using the first antenna circuit and the second antenna circuit, and the first antenna circuit, the second antenna circuit, and the antenna communication chip are provided on the same substrate surface of the flexible substrate.

[0011] In some embodiments, the L-shaped bent portion has a first linearly extending portion and a second linearly extending portion. The first linearly extending portion is connected to the first U-shaped bent portion, the second linearly extending portion is connected to the second U-shaped bent portion, a reflector is provided on the first linearly extending portion, and another reflector is provided on the second linearly extending portion.

[0012] In some embodiments, the distance between the first antenna circuit and the second antenna circuit and the corresponding reflectors is one-fourth of the wavelength of the antenna signal.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the portable electronic device includes a housing having a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall and the second side wall providing a corner space, and an antenna module provided in the corner space, the antenna module including a flexible substrate including a first main body portion, a second main body portion, a first L-shaped bent portion having opposite first and second ends, the first end being connected to the first main body portion, and a first U-shaped bent portion having opposite first and second ends, the first end being connected to the second end of the first L-shaped bent portion, and the second end being connected to the second main body portion, a first antenna circuit provided on the first main body portion, and a second antenna circuit provided on the second main body portion.

[0014] In some embodiments, the portable electronic device further includes an antenna communication chip electrically connected to the first antenna circuit and the second antenna circuit, and performing wireless communication by using the first antenna circuit and the second antenna circuit.

[0015] In some embodiments, the housing further has a third sidewall, and the flexible substrate has a third main body portion, and opposite first and second ends, a second L-shaped bending portion having a first end connected to the first main body portion, and opposite first and second ends, a second U-shaped bending portion having a first end connected to the second end of the second L-shaped bending portion and a second end connected to the third main body portion, and a third antenna circuit provided on the third main body portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] To make the above and other objects, features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention more understandable, the description of the accompanying drawings is as follows.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. However, as can be understood, in the embodiments, many applicable concepts are provided and can be implemented in various specific contents. The embodiments considered and disclosed are for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting the scope of the present invention.

[0018] As used in this specification, terms such as "first", "second",... do not particularly imply an order or sequence, but are merely used to distinguish elements or operations described by the same technical term.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 shows a structural schematic diagram of the antenna module 100 before / after folding according to an embodiment of the present invention. The antenna module 100 includes a flexible substrate 110, a first antenna circuit 121, a second antenna circuit 122, and an antenna communication chip 130. The flexible substrate 110 is used to mount the first antenna circuit 121, the second antenna circuit 122, and the antenna communication chip 130. In this embodiment, the flexible substrate 110 includes a first main body portion 111 and a second main body portion 112 so as to provide the first antenna circuit 121, the second antenna circuit 122, and the antenna communication chip 130. The first antenna circuit 121 and the second antenna circuit 122 are located on two opposing surfaces 110a and 110b of the flexible substrate 110, and the first antenna circuit 121 and the antenna communication chip 130 are located on both opposing sides of the first main body portion 111. The antenna communication chip 130 is electrically connected to the first antenna circuit 121 and the second antenna circuit 122, and performs wireless communication using the first antenna circuit 121 and the second antenna circuit 122.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the flexible substrate 110 is a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, other flexible substrate materials may be applied to the flexible substrate 110.

[0021] After the antenna module 100 is bent, the flexible substrate 110 will include an L-shaped bent portion 110L and a U-shaped bent portion 110U. The L-shaped bent portion 110L has opposing first end L1 and second end L2, and the first end L1 of the L-shaped bent portion 110L is connected to the first main body portion 111. The U-shaped bent portion 110U has opposing first end U1 and second end U2, the first end U1 of the U-shaped bent portion 110U is connected to the second end L2 of the L-shaped bent portion, and the second end U2 of the U-shaped bent portion 110U is connected to the second main body portion 112.

[0022] After the antenna module 100 is bent to form the L-shaped bent portion 110L and the U-shaped bent portion 110U, the first antenna circuit 121 can transmit and receive antenna signals externally along the X-axis, and the second antenna circuit 122 can transmit and receive antenna signals externally along the Y-axis. Specifically, the outer shape of the bent antenna module 100 conforms to the outer shape of the corner of the housing of the portable electronic device, which can improve the space utilization efficiency at the corner of the antenna module 100, and by providing wireless communication in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, it can also cover a large wireless communication range.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 shows a structural schematic diagram of the antenna module 200 before and after bending according to an embodiment of the present invention. The antenna module 200 includes a flexible substrate 210, a first antenna circuit 121, a second antenna circuit 122, and an antenna communication chip 130. The flexible substrate 210 is used to mount the first antenna circuit 121, the second antenna circuit 122, and the antenna communication chip 130. In this embodiment, the flexible substrate 210 includes a first main body portion 211 and a second main body portion 212 so as to provide the first antenna circuit 121, the second antenna circuit 122, and the antenna communication chip 130. The first antenna circuit 121 and the second antenna circuit 122 are located on the same surface of the flexible substrate 210. The substrate portion located between the first main body portion 211 and the second main body portion 212 has a thickness thinner than that of the main body portion, because the substrate portion between the first main body portion 211 and the second main body portion 212 is processed by a thinning (De-cap) process. After the thinning process, the antenna module 200 can be bent more easily.

[0024] After the antenna module 100 is bent, the flexible substrate 110 will include an L-shaped bending portion 210L, a first U-shaped bending portion 221U, and a second U-shaped bending portion 222U. The first U-shaped bending portion 221U has opposing first and second ends U11 and U12, and the first end U11 of the first U-shaped bending portion 221U is connected to the first main body portion 211. The L-shaped bending portion 210L has opposing first and second ends L21 and L22, and the first end L21 of the L-shaped bending portion 210L is connected to the second end U12 of the first U-shaped bending portion 221U. The second U-shaped bending portion 222U has opposing first and second ends U21 and U22, and the first end U21 of the second U-shaped bending portion 222U is connected to the second end L22 of the L-shaped bending portion 210L, and the second end U22 of the second U-shaped bending portion 222U is connected to the second main body portion 212.

[0025] After the antenna module 200 is bent to form the L-shaped bent portion 210L, the first U-shaped bent portion 221U, and the second U-shaped bent portion 222U, the first antenna circuit 121 can transmit and receive antenna signals to and from the outside along the X-axis, and the second antenna circuit 122 can transmit and receive antenna signals to and from the outside along the Y-axis. Specifically, the outer shape of the bent antenna module 200 conforms to the outer shape of the corner of the housing of the portable electronic device, which can improve the space utilization efficiency at the corner of the antenna module 200, and by providing wireless communication in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, it can also cover a large wireless communication range.

[0026] In addition, since the first antenna circuit 121, the second antenna circuit 122, and the antenna communication chip 130 of the antenna module 200 are all located on the same surface of the flexible substrate 210, the first antenna circuit 121, the second antenna circuit 122, and the antenna communication chip 130 of the antenna module 200 can be provided more easily than the antenna module 100, and the process is more simplified.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 shows a structural schematic diagram of the folded antenna module 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The antenna module 300 is similar to the antenna module 200, but the difference is that the antenna module 300 further includes a reflector 310, and the reflector 310 is provided on the first straight extension 211S and the second straight extension 212S of the L-shaped bending portion 210L. For example, when the antenna module 300 is bent, the first straight extension 211S of the L-shaped bending portion 210L is provided adjacent to the first main body portion 211 and the first antenna circuit 121, and is arranged along the Y-axis direction together with the first main body portion 211 and the first antenna circuit 121. The reflector 310 is located between the first main body portion 211 and the first straight extension 211S, and the reflector 310 and the first antenna circuit 121 are located on opposite sides of the first main body portion 211. Also for example, when the antenna module 300 is bent, the second straight extension 212S of the L-shaped bending portion 210L is provided adjacent to the second main body portion 212 and the second antenna circuit 122, and is arranged along the X-axis direction together with the second main body portion 212 and the second antenna circuit 122. The reflector 310 is located between the second main body portion 212 and the second straight extension 212S, and the reflector 310 and the second antenna circuit 122 are located on opposite sides of the second main body portion 212.

[0028] In this way, when the first antenna circuit 121 and the second antenna circuit 122 transmit antenna signals, the reflector 310 located on the back surfaces of the first antenna circuit 121 and the second antenna circuit 122 can reflect the antenna signals from the first antenna circuit 121 and the second antenna circuit 122, thereby improving the signal quality of the first antenna circuit 121 and the second antenna circuit 122. For example, the side length of the metal surface of the reflector 310 is at least half of the wavelength, and in this way, the signals of the first antenna circuit 121 and the second antenna circuit 122 can be efficiently reflected.

[0029] In some embodiments, by controlling the degree of bending of the first U-shaped bending portion 221U, the distance between the first antenna circuit 121 and the corresponding reflector 310 can be adjusted. In this way, the effect of the corresponding reflector 310 can be adjusted according to the needs of the user. Similarly, by controlling the degree of bending of the second U-shaped bending portion 222U, the distance between the second antenna circuit 122 and the corresponding reflector 310 can be adjusted. In this way, the effect of the corresponding reflector 310 can be adjusted according to the needs of the user. In this embodiment, the distance between the first antenna circuit 121 and the second antenna 212 and the corresponding reflector 310 is one-fourth of the wavelength, and a good reflection effect can be obtained.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 simultaneously, FIG. 4 shows a front structural schematic diagram of a portable electronic device and an internal antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 shows a side structural schematic diagram of a portable electronic device and an internal antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 shows a perspective structural schematic diagram of the antenna module. In this embodiment, the portable electronic device includes a housing 400 and an antenna module 500. The antenna module 500 is provided at the upper right corner of the housing 400 to provide a wireless communication function for the portable electronic device. Specifically, the housing 400 includes side walls 411S and 412S. The side walls 411S and 412S define a corner. The antenna module 500 is provided within this corner and its volume is adapted to the space of this corner. In this way, the antenna module 500 can be provided by efficiently utilizing this corner space, and the wireless communication function of the portable electronic device can be provided. The antenna module 500 is similar to the above antenna module 100, but the difference is that the antenna module 100 further includes a third main body portion 513, an L-shaped bending portion 510L, a U-shaped bending portion 510U and a third antenna circuit 523. The third antenna circuit 523 is provided on the third main body portion 513 and is electrically connected to the antenna communication chip 130 to provide a wireless communication function.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the first main body portion 211 and the first antenna circuit 121 of the antenna module 500 are arranged along the Y-axis to provide wireless communication in the Y-axis direction (outward from the side wall 411S). Next, the L-shaped bent portion 110L, the U-shaped bent portion 110U, the second main body portion 112, and the second antenna circuit 122 of the antenna module 500 are arranged along the X-axis. In this way, the second antenna circuit 122 on the second main body portion 112 can provide wireless communication in the X-axis direction (outward from the side wall 412S). Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the L-shaped bent portion 510L, the U-shaped bent portion 510U, and the third main body portion 513 of the antenna module 500 are arranged along the Z-axis. In this way, the third antenna circuit 523 on the third main body portion 513 can provide wireless communication in the Z-axis direction (outward from the back surface of the housing 400). In FIG. 5, the illustration of the L-shaped bent portion 110L, the U-shaped bent portion 110U, the second main body portion 112, and the second antenna circuit 122 of the antenna module 500 is omitted.

[0032] Although FIGS. 4 to 5 show that the antenna module 500 is provided in the upper right corner space of the housing 400, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the antenna module 500 may be provided in other corner spaces of the housing 400. In some embodiments, the above antenna modules 100, 200, or 300 may be provided corresponding to the corner spaces of the housing 400.

[0033] Although the present invention is disclosed in various embodiments as described above, the above embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be based on what is limited by the scope of the patent application attached later.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0034] 100: Antenna module 110: Flexible substrate 110a: Surface 110b: Surface 110L: L-shaped bent portion 110U: U-shaped bent portion 111: First main body portion 112: Second main body portion 121: First antenna circuit 122: Second antenna circuit 130: Antenna communication chip 200: Antenna module 210: Flexible substrate 211: First main body portion 212: Second main body portion 210L: L-shaped bent portion 221U: First U-shaped bent portion 222U: Second U-shaped bent portion 300: Antenna module 310: Reflector 400: Housing 500: Antenna module 411S: Side wall 412S: Side wall 510L: L-shaped bent portion 510U: U-shaped bent portion 513: Third main body portion 523: Third antenna circuit L1: First end L2: Second end L21: First end L22: Second end U1: First end U2: Second end U11: First end U12: Second end U21: First end U22: Second end

Claims

1. a first main body portion, a second main body portion, an L-shaped bent portion having opposing first and second ends, with the first end connected to the first main body portion, a U-shaped bent portion having opposing first and second ends, with the first end connected to the second end of the L-shaped bent portion and the second end connected to the second main body portion, a flexible substrate including the above, a first antenna circuit provided on the first main body portion, a second antenna circuit provided on the second main body portion, An antenna module comprising the above.

2. Further comprising an antenna communication chip electrically connected to the first antenna circuit and the second antenna circuit for performing wireless communication using the first antenna circuit and the second antenna circuit, the antenna communication chip being located on the first side of the L-shaped bent portion, the second main body portion being located on the second side of the L-shaped bent portion, and the first side facing the second side. The antenna module according to Claim 1.

3. The first antenna circuit is provided on the first substrate surface of the flexible substrate, the second antenna circuit and the antenna communication chip are provided on the second substrate surface of the flexible substrate, and the first substrate surface faces the second substrate surface. The antenna module according to Claim 2.

4. The flexible substrate is a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate. The antenna module according to Claim 1.

5. At least one of the L-shaped bent portion and the U-shaped bent portion is processed by a de-cap process and has a thickness smaller than that of the first main body portion and the second main body portion. The antenna module according to Claim 1.

6. a first main body portion, a second main body portion, a first U-shaped bent portion having opposing first and second ends, with the first end connected to the first main body portion, an L-shaped bent portion having opposing first and second ends, with the first end connected to the second end of the first U-shaped bent portion, a second U-shaped bent portion having opposing first and second ends, with the first end connected to the second end of the L-shaped bent portion and the second end connected to the second main body portion, a flexible substrate including the above, a first antenna circuit provided on the first main body portion, a second antenna circuit provided on the second main body portion, An antenna module comprising the above.

7. An antenna communication chip is further provided, which is electrically connected to the first antenna circuit and the second antenna circuit and performs wireless communication using the first antenna circuit and the second antenna circuit. The first antenna circuit, the second antenna circuit, and the antenna communication chip are provided on the same substrate surface of the flexible substrate. The antenna module according to claim 6.

8. The L-shaped bent portion has a first straight extending portion and a second straight extending portion. The first straight extending portion is connected to the first U-shaped bent portion, and the second straight extending portion is connected to the second U-shaped bent portion. A reflector is provided on the first straight extending portion, and another reflector is provided on the second straight extending portion. The antenna module according to claim 6.

9. The distance between the first antenna circuit and the second antenna circuit and the corresponding reflectors is one-fourth of the wavelength of the antenna signal. The antenna module according to claim 6.

10. A housing having a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall provide a corner space, An antenna module provided in the corner space, A first main body portion, A second main body portion, A first L-shaped bent portion having opposed first and second ends, with the first end connected to the first main body portion, A first U-shaped bent portion having opposed first and second ends, with the first end connected to the second end of the first L-shaped bent portion and the second end connected to the second main body portion, A flexible substrate including, A first antenna circuit provided on the first main body portion, A second antenna circuit provided on the second main body portion, An antenna module including, A portable electronic device comprising.

11. The portable electronic device according to claim 10, further comprising an antenna communication chip that is electrically connected to the first antenna circuit and the second antenna circuit and performs wireless communication using the first antenna circuit and the second antenna circuit.

12. The housing further has a third side wall, and the flexible substrate A third main body portion, A second L-shaped bent portion having opposed first and second ends, with the first end connected to the first main body portion, A second U-shaped bent portion having opposed first and second ends, with the first end connected to the second end of the second L-shaped bent portion and the second end connected to the third main body portion, A third antenna circuit provided on the third main body portion, The portable electronic device according to claim 10, further comprising.

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