Antenna Module

Abstract

To provide an antenna module that can be applied to a smart ring and allows communication without providing a slit in a ring body.SOLUTION: An antenna module 1 includes: an outer circumferential ring 10 made of a conductive material; a first cover ring 20 made of a non-conductive material and located on the inner circumferential side of the outer circumferential ring 10 in a radial direction R; a coil pattern 120 that circulates in a circumferential direction C along the outer circumferential wall of the first cover ring 20; and a first magnetic body 130 located between the coil pattern 120 and the outer circumferential ring 10. This allows communication to be performed without providing a slit in the outer circumferential ring 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a ring with a communication function called a smart ring. The smart ring described in Patent Document 1 has a slit in the ring body so that communication is not impeded by the metal ring body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-184764 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, providing a slit in the ring body has the problem of impairing the aesthetic appearance.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide an antenna module that can be applied to a smart ring and that enables communication without providing a slit in the ring body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An antenna module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises an outer ring made of a conductive material, a first cover ring made of a non-conductive material and located radially inner of the outer ring, a coil pattern that runs circumferentially along the outer wall of the first cover ring, and a first magnetic body that is located between the coil pattern and the outer ring. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, communication can be performed without providing a slit in the outer ring. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of an antenna module 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the antenna module 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the coil pattern 120 included in the antenna module 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial schematic plan view of the antenna unit 100 according to the first example, as viewed in the radial direction R. As shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partial schematic plan view of the antenna unit 100 according to the second example, as viewed from the radial direction R. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XX shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partial schematic plan view of the antenna unit 100 according to the third example, as viewed from the radial direction R. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partial schematic plan view of the antenna unit 100 according to the fourth example, as viewed from the radial direction R. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A of an antenna module 1a according to a modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of an antenna module 2 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A of the antenna module 2. As shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a plane perpendicular to the circumferential direction C of the antenna unit 100 included in the antenna module 2. As shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A of the antenna module 2a according to the first modified example. [Figure 14]FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a plane perpendicular to the circumferential direction C of the antenna unit 100 included in the antenna module 2a. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A of an antenna module 2b according to a second modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A of an antenna module 2c according to a third modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of an antenna module 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] The antenna module 1 according to the first embodiment is a so-called smart ring, which is a piece of jewelry worn on a finger and is a device capable of performing near field communication (NFC) with an external reader / writer. As shown in Fig. 1, the antenna module 1 according to the first embodiment includes an outer ring 10 made of a conductive material such as a precious metal, and a first cover ring 20 made of a non-conductive material such as resin and positioned radially inward of the outer ring 10.

[0012] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the antenna module 1. Note that the symbol A indicates the axial direction, the symbol C indicates the circumferential direction, and the symbol R indicates the radial direction.

[0013] 2, the antenna module 1 further includes an antenna section 100 provided between the outer ring 10 and the first cover ring 20. The antenna section 100 is also ring-shaped, and the inner peripheral wall of the antenna section 100 and the outer peripheral wall of the first cover ring 20 are bonded together by an adhesive layer 30 made of double-sided tape or the like. The outer peripheral wall of the antenna section 100 and the inner peripheral wall of the outer ring 10 are bonded together by an adhesive layer 40 made of double-sided tape or the like.

[0014] The antenna unit 100 includes a film-like substrate 110 made of an insulating resin material such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), a coil pattern 120 provided on the surface of the substrate 110, and a first magnetic body 130 provided on the surface of the substrate 110 so as to cover the coil pattern 120. The coil pattern 120 is wound in a circumferential direction C along the outer peripheral wall of the first cover ring 20. The number of turns of the coil pattern 120 is not particularly limited, but as shown in FIG. 3, which is a schematic diagram of the coil pattern 120, the coil pattern 120 may be wound in a solenoid shape with multiple turns. One end 121 and the other end 122 of the coil pattern 120 are connected to an IC chip 50, thereby forming an NFC circuit between the antenna unit 100 and the IC chip 50. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the coil pattern 120 is wound in a solenoid shape with two turns.

[0015] In this embodiment, since the first magnetic body 130 is present between the coil pattern 120 and the outer ring 10, the magnetic field generated from the coil pattern 120 is not blocked by the outer ring 10, and most of the magnetic field passes through the first magnetic body 130. This makes it possible to communicate with an external reader / writer without providing a slit in the outer ring 10, and therefore the aesthetic appearance of the ring is not impaired.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a partial schematic plan view of the antenna unit 100 according to the first example, as viewed in the radial direction R. As shown in FIG.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 4 , in the antenna unit 100 according to the first example, the first magnetic body 130 wraps around the coil pattern 120 over multiple turns to cover each turn. The first magnetic body 130 is made of a material obtained by hardening a paste-like material in which magnetic particles and resin are mixed. The first magnetic body 130 made of the paste-like material can be directly applied to one surface 111 of the substrate 110. In this case, the first magnetic body 130 comes into direct contact with the one surface 111 of the substrate 110 to cover the coil pattern 120. However, one end 121 and the other end 122 of the coil pattern 120 are not covered by the first magnetic body 130 and are exposed, thereby ensuring connection with the IC chip 50. The IC chip 50 is attached to the antenna unit 100 via an adhesive layer (not shown) so as to be electrically connected to the one end 121 and the other end 122 of the coil pattern 120.

[0018] The antenna section 100 having such a structure has a coil pattern 120 formed on the surface of an elongated substrate 110, and then a first magnetic body 130 made of a paste-like material is applied directly to the substrate 110 to cover the coil pattern 120.Then, the substrate 110 can be fixed to the outer peripheral wall of the first cover ring 20 by wrapping the substrate 110 around the outer peripheral wall of the first cover ring 20 multiple times via an adhesive layer 30.

[0019] 4, a gap is provided between the first magnetic bodies 130 adjacent to each other in the axial direction A. This prevents the first magnetic bodies 130 from overlapping in the radial direction R, allowing the antenna unit 100 to be made thinner.

[0020] The first magnetic body 130 may be formed of a sheet-like material instead of a paste-like material. When using a first magnetic body 130 formed of a sheet-like material, it is attached to the surface of the base material 110 via an adhesive layer. In the antenna unit 100 having such a structure, the coil pattern 120 is formed on the surface of the elongated base material 110, and the first magnetic body 130 formed of an elongated sheet-like material is attached to the base material 110 to cover the coil pattern 120. After that, the base material 110 can be fixed to the outer peripheral wall of the first cover ring 20 by wrapping the base material 110 around the outer peripheral wall of the first cover ring 20 via an adhesive layer 30. Alternatively, the coil pattern 120 may be formed on the surface of the elongated base material 110, and the base material 110 may be wound around the outer peripheral wall of the first cover ring 20 via the adhesive layer 30 by multiple turns. Then, the first magnetic body 130 formed of an elongated sheet-like material may be wound around the outer peripheral wall of the first cover ring 20 by multiple turns so as to cover the coil pattern 120.

[0021] Fig. 5 is a partial schematic plan view of the antenna unit 100 according to the second example, as viewed from the radial direction R. Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XX shown in Fig. 5. In the second example shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the first magnetic bodies 130 are made of a paste-like material, and the ends of the first magnetic bodies 130 made of the paste-like material overlap each other in the axial direction A. This prevents gaps from forming between the first magnetic bodies 130 adjacent to each other in the axial direction A, making the antenna unit less susceptible to the influence of the outer ring 10 made of a conductive material.

[0022] Fig. 7 is a partial schematic plan view of the antenna unit 100 according to a third example, as viewed from the radial direction R. In the third example shown in Fig. 7, the first magnetic body 130 is made of a sheet-like material rather than a paste-like material, and the width of the first magnetic body 130 made of the sheet-like material in the axial direction A is wider than the winding width of the coil pattern 120 in the axial direction A, thereby making the number of turns of the first magnetic body 130 less than one. This makes it easier to wind the first magnetic body 130 made of an elongated sheet-like material.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a partial schematic plan view of the antenna unit 100 according to a fourth example, as viewed from the radial direction R. In the fourth example shown in FIG. 8, the first magnetic body 130 is made of a paste-like material rather than a sheet-like material, and the first magnetic body 130 made of the paste-like material is directly applied to one surface 111 of the substrate 110. In the fourth example shown in FIG. 8, the first magnetic body 130 is in direct contact with one surface 111 of the substrate 110 so as to cover the entire turns of the coil pattern 120 except for one end 121 and the other end 122. By using the first magnetic body 130 made of such a paste-like material, it is possible to arbitrarily adjust the area and thickness in which the first magnetic body 130 is to be formed.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A of an antenna module 1a according to a modified example.

[0025] The antenna module 1a according to the modified example shown in Fig. 9 differs from the antenna module 1 shown in Fig. 2 in that it further includes a second cover ring 60 made of a non-conductive material such as resin and positioned between the antenna unit 100 and the outer circumferential ring 10. Since the other basic configurations are the same as those of the antenna module 1 shown in Fig. 2, the same elements are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted. In this way, by sandwiching the antenna unit 100 between the first cover ring 20 and the second cover ring 60 in the radial direction R, the antenna unit 100 can be fixed more firmly to the outer circumferential ring 10 and the distance between the coil pattern 120 and the outer circumferential ring 10 in the radial direction R can be increased.

[0026] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of an antenna module 2 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] 10, the antenna module 2 according to the second embodiment differs from the antenna module 1 according to the first embodiment in that it further includes an inner circumferential ring 70 made of a conductive material such as a precious metal. Since the other basic configurations are the same as those of the antenna module 1 according to the first embodiment, the same elements are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0028] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A of the antenna module 2. As shown in FIG.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 10 , the inner ring 70 included in the antenna module 2 is located radially inner of the first cover ring 20. Furthermore, in the antenna module 2, a second magnetic body 140 is further included in the antenna unit 100. The second magnetic body 140 is located between the coil pattern 120 and the inner ring 70. The second magnetic body 140 may be a paste-like material like the first magnetic body 130 shown in FIGS. 4 , 5 , and 8 , or a sheet-like material like the first magnetic body 130 shown in FIG. 7 . When the first and second magnetic bodies 130, 140 are paste-like materials, the first magnetic body 130 may be applied to one surface 111 of the substrate 110, and the second magnetic body 140 may be applied to the other surface 112 of the substrate 110, as shown in FIG. 12 . According to this, the first magnetic body 130 covering the coil pattern 120 comes into direct contact with one surface 111 of the substrate 110, and the second magnetic body 140 comes into direct contact with the other surface 112 of the substrate 110.

[0030] As described above, the antenna module 2 according to this embodiment includes the inner ring 70 in addition to the outer ring 10, thereby achieving a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. In this embodiment, the second magnetic body 140 is present between the coil pattern 120 and the inner ring 70, allowing communication with an external reader / writer without being obstructed by the inner ring 70. Furthermore, since the first cover ring 20 is disposed on the inner ring 70 side, the distance in the radial direction R between the coil pattern 120 and the outer ring 10 is smaller than the distance in the radial direction R between the coil pattern 120 and the inner ring 70. This allows magnetic flux to easily pass through the opening region of the coil pattern 120, which has the highest magnetic flux density.

[0031] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A of the antenna module 2a according to the first modified example.

[0032] The antenna module 2a according to the first modified example shown in Fig. 13 differs from the antenna module 2 shown in Fig. 11 in that the base material 110 is omitted. Since the other basic configurations are the same as those of the antenna module 2 shown in Fig. 11, the same elements are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0033] The antenna module 2a having such a configuration can be produced by forming the coil pattern 120 on one surface 111 of the substrate 110, applying a first magnetic body 130 made of a paste-like material so as to cover the coil pattern 120, peeling off the substrate 110, and then applying a second magnetic body 140 made of a paste-like material. In this case, as shown in Fig. 14, the first magnetic body 130 and the second magnetic body 140 are in direct contact with each other, so that the entire periphery of the cross section perpendicular to the circumferential direction C of the coil pattern 120 is surrounded by the first and second magnetic bodies 130, 140. This allows the antenna unit 100 to be made thinner and enables higher antenna characteristics to be obtained.

[0034] Fig. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an antenna module 2b according to a second modified example, taken along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A. Fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an antenna module 2c according to a third modified example, taken along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A.

[0035] The antenna module 2b according to the second modified example shown in Fig. 15 differs from the antenna module 2 shown in Fig. 11 in that it further includes a second cover ring 60 located between the antenna section 100 and the outer peripheral ring 10. Since the other basic configurations are the same as those of the antenna module 2 shown in Fig. 11, the same elements are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0036] The antenna module 2c according to the third modified example shown in Fig. 16 differs from the antenna module 2a shown in Fig. 13 in that it further includes a second cover ring 60 positioned between the antenna section 100 and the outer peripheral ring 10. Since the other basic configurations are the same as those of the antenna module 2a shown in Fig. 13, the same elements are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0037] As in the antenna modules 2b and 2c according to the second and third modified examples, by sandwiching the antenna section 100 between the first cover ring 20 and the second cover ring 60 in the radial direction R, the antenna section 100 can be fixed more firmly to the outer ring 10, and the distance in the radial direction R between the coil pattern 120 and the outer ring 10 can be further increased.

[0038] The above describes preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0039] For example, although the antenna module described above is intended to be used as a ring, it may be configured to be wearable on other parts of the human body, such as a bracelet.

[0040] The technology according to the present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the following configuration examples.

[0041] The antenna module according to the present disclosure includes an outer ring made of a conductive material, a first cover ring made of a non-conductive material and positioned radially inward of the outer ring, a coil pattern that runs circumferentially along the outer wall of the first cover ring, and a first magnetic body positioned between the coil pattern and the outer ring. This enables communication without providing a slit in the outer ring.

[0042] The coil pattern may be wound in a solenoid shape over multiple turns, and the first magnetic body may be wound over multiple turns so as to cover each turn of the coil pattern. This facilitates the formation of the first magnetic body. In this case, the first magnetic body may be wound so as to leave a gap in the axial direction, or so as to overlap its ends in the axial direction. The former allows the thickness of the antenna unit including the coil pattern and the first magnetic body to be reduced, while the latter allows for better antenna characteristics to be obtained.

[0043] Both ends of the coil pattern may be connected to the IC chip without being covered by the first magnetic material, which makes it easier to connect the coil pattern to the IC chip.

[0044] The antenna module according to the present disclosure may further include a second cover ring made of a non-conductive material and positioned between the first magnetic body and the outer ring, thereby enabling the antenna unit including the coil pattern and the first magnetic body to be more firmly fixed.

[0045] The antenna module according to the present disclosure may further include an inner ring made of a conductive material and positioned radially inward of the first cover ring, and a second magnetic body positioned between the coil pattern and the inner ring, thereby achieving a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0046] The antenna module according to the present disclosure further includes a substrate having a coil pattern on one surface, the first magnetic body being in direct contact with one surface of the substrate so as to cover the coil pattern, and the second magnetic body being in direct contact with the other surface of the substrate. Such a structure can be obtained when the first and second magnetic bodies are formed by coating. This allows the antenna unit to be made thinner.

[0047] The first and second magnetic bodies may be in contact with each other so that the entire circumference of the cross section perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the coil pattern is surrounded by the first and second magnetic bodies, which makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the antenna unit and obtain higher antenna characteristics.

[0048] The radial distance between the coil pattern and the outer ring may be smaller than the radial distance between the coil pattern and the inner ring, which allows magnetic flux to pass more easily through the open area of ​​the coil pattern where the magnetic flux density is highest. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1, 1a, 2, 2a to 2c Antenna module 10 Outer ring 20 First Covering 30,40 Adhesive layer 50 IC chips 60 Second Covering 70 Inner ring 100 Antenna section 110 Base material 111 One surface of the substrate 112 other surface of the substrate 120 coil pattern 121 One end of the coil pattern 122 Other end of coil pattern 130 First magnetic body 140 Second magnetic material A axis direction C circumferential direction R Radial direction

Claims

1. a peripheral ring made of a conductive material; a first cover ring made of a non-conductive material and positioned radially inward of the outer ring; a coil pattern that winds around in a circumferential direction along an outer peripheral wall of the first cover ring; a first magnetic body located between the coil pattern and the outer ring, The coil pattern is wound in a solenoid shape over a plurality of turns, The antenna module, wherein the first magnetic body is wound around the coil pattern over a plurality of turns so as to cover each turn of the coil pattern.

2. The antenna module according to claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic body is wound around the antenna so as to create a gap in the axial direction.

3. The antenna module according to claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic body is wound around the antenna so that ends thereof in the axial direction overlap each other.

4. An outer ring made of a conductive material; a first cover ring made of a non-conductive material and positioned radially inward of the outer ring; a coil pattern that winds around in a circumferential direction along an outer peripheral wall of the first cover ring; a first magnetic body located between the coil pattern and the outer ring, The antenna module has both ends of the coil pattern connected to an IC chip without being covered by the first magnetic body.

5. An antenna module as described in Claim 4, wherein the first magnetic body rotates so as to create a gap in the axial direction.

6. An antenna module as described in Claim 4, wherein the first magnetic body rotates so that its ends in the axial direction overlap.

7. An outer ring made of a conductive material; a first cover ring made of a non-conductive material and positioned radially inward of the outer ring; a coil pattern that winds around in a circumferential direction along an outer peripheral wall of the first cover ring; a first magnetic body located between the coil pattern and the outer ring; The antenna module includes a second cover ring made of a non-conductive material and positioned between the first magnetic body and the outer ring.

8. An antenna module as described in Claim 7, wherein the first magnetic body rotates so as to create a gap in the axial direction.

9. An antenna module as described in Claim 7, wherein the first magnetic body rotates so that its ends in the axial direction overlap.

10. An antenna module described in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein both ends of the coil pattern are connected to an IC chip without being covered by the first magnetic material.

11. An outer ring made of a conductive material; a first cover ring made of a non-conductive material and positioned radially inward of the outer ring; a coil pattern that winds around in a circumferential direction along an outer peripheral wall of the first cover ring; a first magnetic body located between the coil pattern and the outer ring; an inner circumferential ring made of a conductive material and located radially inward of the first cover ring; an antenna module comprising: a second magnetic body positioned between the coil pattern and the inner circumferential ring;

12. An antenna module as described in Claim 11, wherein the first magnetic body rotates so as to create a gap in the axial direction.

13. An antenna module as described in Claim 11, wherein the first magnetic body rotates so that its ends in the axial direction overlap.

14. An antenna module described in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein both ends of the coil pattern are connected to an IC chip without being covered by the first magnetic material.

15. An antenna module as described in any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising a second cover ring made of a non-conductive material and positioned between the first magnetic body and the outer ring.

16. Further comprising a substrate having the coil pattern provided on one surface thereof, the first magnetic body is in direct contact with the one surface of the base material so as to cover the coil pattern, The antenna module according to claim 11 , wherein the second magnetic body is in direct contact with the other surface of the substrate.

17. The antenna module according to claim 11 , wherein the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body are in contact with each other so that the entire circumference of a cross section of the coil pattern perpendicular to the circumferential direction is surrounded by the first and second magnetic bodies.

18. 18. The antenna module according to claim 11, wherein a radial distance between the coil pattern and the outer ring is smaller than a radial distance between the coil pattern and the inner ring.

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