Electronic device

Abstract

This electronic device is provided with: an antenna; a metal member having a reference potential of the antenna; an opposing member provided so as to face the metal member; and a cushion part provided between the metal member and the opposing member. The cushion part includes an elastic member, a conductive member provided between the elastic member and the metal member, and an insulating layer provided between the conductive member and the metal member.

Description

electronic equipment

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electronic devices.

[0002] Some electronic devices are provided with conductive gaskets.

[0003] JP 2010-27844 A JP 2014-142455 A JP 2011-82320 A JP 2008-277965 A

[0004] When a component such as a conductive gasket is provided in an electronic device that includes an antenna, unwanted radiation can occur due to the metal contact.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is to suppress unwanted radiation.

[0006] An electronic device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an antenna, a metal member having a reference potential of the antenna, an opposing member arranged to face the metal member, and a cushion portion arranged between the metal member and the opposing member, wherein the cushion portion includes an elastic member, a conductive member arranged between the elastic member and the metal member, and an insulating layer arranged between the conductive member and the metal member.

[0007] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a cushion part; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an electronic device; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a cushion part; FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a terminal device; FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of antennas; FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an antenna;

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0009] The present disclosure will be described in the following order: 0. Introduction 1. Embodiments 2. Application Examples 3. Conclusion

[0010] 0. Introduction Some electronic devices are provided with cushioning components such as conductive gaskets. When such components come into contact with other metals in the electronic device (e.g., dissimilar metal contact), a nonlinear metal contact is created. In electronic devices that use antennas, the nonlinearity of this metal contact can cause unwanted radiation. For example, such unwanted radiation can be suppressed by the disclosed technology.

[0011] 1. Embodiments Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment. An XYZ coordinate system is also shown. The Z axis direction corresponds to the thickness direction (front-to-back direction) of the electronic device 100. The positive Z axis direction is also referred to as the upward direction, etc. The negative Z axis direction is also referred to as the downward direction, etc.

[0012] The electronic device 100 includes a housing 1f, a substrate 2, an antenna 3, a cushion portion 4, and a display device 9. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view (exploded perspective view) of the housing 1 and the display device 9 disassembled in the Z-axis direction.

[0013] The housing 1 may constitute a part of the electronic device 100 other than the display device 9. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the substrate 2, the antenna 3, and the cushion part 4 are arranged in the housing 1. Note that there may be another housing other than the housing 1, such as a housing for the display device 9.

[0014] The housing 1 includes a metal member, and this portion has a reference potential (provides a reference potential) for the antenna 3. The reference potential may be a ground (GND) potential. Examples of the metal member include aluminum and magnesium. Other metal members may also be used. Note that semi-metallic members such as graphite may be excluded from the metal member.

[0015] The housing 1 may include a material other than a metal material (for example, a resin material). However, for ease of understanding, it is assumed herein that almost the entire housing 1 is made of a metal material. To the extent that there is no contradiction, the housing 1 may be appropriately interpreted as a metal material. The surface of the housing 1 on the positive side of the Z axis is referred to as the top surface 1a and is illustrated. The top surface 1a is conductive and has the reference potential of the antenna 3.

[0016] The board 2 is provided with various components (ICs, etc.) for realizing the functions of the electronic device 100. There is no particular limitation on the number of boards 2, and one or more boards 2 may be arranged in the housing 1. The board 2 may be an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) board.

[0017] The antenna 3 transmits and receives radio waves. The frequency of the radio waves is referred to as the RF frequency. As an example, when the antenna 3 is an antenna for wireless communication, the RF frequency may be several hundred MHz or more. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the antenna 3 is disposed on the edge of the housing 1. The number of antennas 3 is not particularly limited, and one or more antennas 3 may be included in the housing 1.

[0018] The cushion portion 4 is provided on the upper surface 1a of the housing 1. There is no particular limitation on the number of cushion portions 4, and one or more cushion portions 4 may be included in the housing 1. Details of the cushion portion 4 will be described later.

[0019] The display device 9 is as its name suggests. Various known display devices may be used. One example is an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display device. The display device 9 may be a touch panel display device.

[0020] The display device 9 may include a conductive member, more specifically, a metal member. Examples of the metal member include copper and stainless steel. Other metal members may also be used. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the display device 9 includes a display surface 90 on the positive side of the Z axis. The surface of the display device 9 on the negative side of the Z axis is referred to as the bottom surface 9b (rear surface) and is illustrated. The display device 9 includes a metal member, particularly on the bottom surface 9b. For example, a metal film (e.g., copper foil) or a metal plate is disposed on the bottom surface 9b. The metal member is exposed on the bottom surface 9b.

[0021] The housing 1 and the display device 9 are assembled so as to face each other, thereby obtaining the electronic device 100. The display device 9 can also be called a facing member provided so as to face the housing 1. To the extent that there is no contradiction, the display device 9 may be appropriately interpreted as a facing member. The facing member may be interpreted to refer to a portion of the display device 9 that is in particular in contact with the cushion portion 4.

[0022] When the housing 1 and the display device 9 are assembled, the cushion portion 4 is provided (placed) between the housing 1 and the display device 9. The description will also refer to FIG.

[0023] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the cushion unit. The cross section of the cushion unit 4 and its surroundings is shown as a side view (as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction). The housing 1, cushion unit 4, and display device 9 are positioned in this order in the positive direction of the Z-axis. The cushion unit 4 includes an adhesive member 40, an elastic member 5, a conductive member 6, and an insulating layer 7.

[0024] The adhesive member 40 is used to fix the cushion portion 4 to the housing 1 or the display device 9. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the adhesive member 40 is provided between the elastic member 5 and the housing 1 so as to fix the cushion portion 4 to the housing 1. The adhesive member 40 may be non-conductive (insulating). Various known adhesive materials may be used.

[0025] The elastic member 5 provides elasticity to the cushion portion 4. Various known elastic materials may be used. The elastic member 5 elastically expands and contracts, particularly in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction). Contact pressure is generated between the cushion portion 4 and the housing 1, ensuring secure contact (surface contact) between them. Contact pressure is also generated between the cushion portion 4 and the display device 9, ensuring secure contact (surface contact) between them.

[0026] The conductive member 6 is provided to face both the housing 1 and the display device 9. For example, the conductive member 6 may be a woven fabric having a conductive film. The conductive member 6 may also be a conductive film (sheet, etc.). A conductive flexible member, a metal plate, etc. may also be used as the conductive member 6. Various known conductive materials may be used. Note that semi-metallic materials such as graphite may be excluded from the materials of the conductive member 6. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the conductive member 6 includes a conductive portion 61, a conductive portion 62, and a conductive portion 63.

[0027] The conductive portion 61 is a portion (first conductive portion) of the conductive member 6 that is provided to face the housing 1. The conductive portion 61 has a thickness in the Z-axis direction and extends in the XY plane. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the conductive portion 61 is provided between the elastic member 5 and the housing 1. Note that the conductive portion 61 is not present in the portion where the adhesive member 40 is provided. The surface of the conductive portion 61 on the negative side of the Z-axis is referred to as the lower surface 6b and is illustrated. The lower surface 6b of the conductive portion 61 is also referred to as the lower surface 6b of the conductive member 6.

[0028] The conductive portion 62 is a portion (second conductive portion) of the conductive member 6 that is provided to face the display device 9. The conductive portion 62 has a thickness in the Z-axis direction and extends in the XY plane. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the conductive portion 62 is provided between the elastic member 5 and the display device 9. The surface of the conductive portion 62 on the positive Z-axis direction side is illustrated as the upper surface 6 a. The upper surface 6 a of the conductive portion 62 is also referred to as the upper surface 6 a of the conductive member 6.

[0029] The conductive portion 63 is a portion (third conductive portion) of the conductive member 6 that is provided between the conductive portion 61 and the conductive portion 62. The conductive portion 63 electrically connects the conductive portion 61 and the conductive portion 62. For example, the conductive member 6 as shown in FIG. 2 can be obtained by preparing a sheet-like conductive member and bending the portion of the sheet-like conductive member that corresponds to the conductive portion 63.

[0030] The elastic member 5 and the conductive member 6 may be referred to as a conductive gasket. In one embodiment, the elastic member 5 and the conductive member 6 may have an integral structure. Examples of the integral structure include conductive rubber, a conductive cushion (e.g., a cushion with conductive plating), a metal spring, etc.

[0031] The insulating layer 7 is provided at least between the housing 1 and the conductive member 6. Various known insulating materials may be used. One example is PET, in which case the insulating layer 7 may be a PET film (or sheet). The insulating layer 7 may be an insulating paint (a layer obtained by painting an insulating paint), air (clearance), or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the insulating layer 7 includes an insulating layer 71 and an insulating layer 72.

[0032] The insulating layer 71 is an insulating layer (first insulating layer) provided between the conductive portion 61 of the conductive member 6 and the housing 1. The insulating layer 71 has a thickness in the Z-axis direction and extends in the XY plane. Like the conductive portion 61, the insulating layer 71 is not present in the portion where the adhesive member 40 is provided. The upper surface of the insulating layer 71 contacts (is in surface contact with) the lower surface 6b of the conductive member 6. The lower surface of the insulating layer 71 contacts (is in surface contact with) the upper surface 1a of the housing 1.

[0033] The insulating layer 71 is provided between the housing 1 and the conductive portion 61 so that the conductive portion 61 is capacitively coupled to the housing 1. The lower surface of the conductive portion 61 and the upper surface 1a of the housing 1 face each other via the insulating layer 71, and this portion functions like a parallel plate capacitor. At RF frequencies, the conductive portion 61 and the housing 1 are electrically coupled. At DC (direct current), the conductive portion 61 and the housing 1 are electrically separated.

[0034] In one embodiment, the insulating layer 71 may include an insulating coating. The insulating coating may be obtained, for example, by performing an insulating coating treatment on the upper surface 1 a (metal surface) of the housing 1. If the housing 1 includes aluminum, an anodized aluminum layer obtained by an anodizing treatment may serve as the insulating layer 71.

[0035] The insulating layer 72 is an insulating layer (second insulating layer) provided between the conductive portion 62 and the display device 9. The insulating layer 72 has a thickness in the Z-axis direction and extends in the XY plane. The upper surface of the insulating layer 72 contacts (is in surface contact with) the lower surface 9b of the display device 9. The lower surface of the insulating layer 72 contacts (is in surface contact with) the upper surface 6a of the conductive member 6.

[0036] The insulating layer 72 is provided between the conductive portion 62 and the display device 9 so that the conductive portion 62 is capacitively coupled to the display device 9. The upper surface of the conductive portion 62 and the lower surface 9b of the display device 9 face each other via the insulating layer 72, and this portion functions like a parallel plate capacitor. At RF frequencies, the conductive portion 62 and the display device 9 are electrically coupled. At DC frequencies, the conductive portion 62 and the display device 9 are electrically isolated. Note that the insulating layer 71 and the insulating layer 72 may be integrated. In this case, the insulating layer 71 may further include a portion connecting the insulating layer 71 and the insulating layer 72 (a portion extending along the conductive portion 63).

[0037] The conductive member 6 and insulating layer 7 are designed to obtain the desired capacitive coupling. Examples of the design include the dimensional design of the conductive member 6 and insulating layer 7, and the dielectric constant design of the insulating layer 7. Regarding the dimensions, for example, the thickness (length in the Z-axis direction) of the conductive member 6 may be about several μm. The thickness (length in the Z-axis direction) of the insulating layer 7 may be about several μm to several tens of μm or more. The area of ​​the upper surface 6a or lower surface 6b of the conductive member 6 may be several mm. ２ ~ 10 mm ２ The same may be true for the lower and upper surfaces of the insulating layer 7.

[0038] The cushion portion 4 having the above-described configuration is provided between the housing 1 and the display device 9. As described above, the number of cushion portions 4 may be any number, such as one or two or more. In addition to the cushion portion 4, a conventional conductive gasket may also be provided between the housing 1 and the display device 9. The cushion portion 4 includes an insulating layer 7, which prevents the conductive member 6 from coming into direct contact with other metals, etc. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the insulating layer 71 prevents direct contact between the conductive portion 61 and the housing 1. The insulating layer 72 prevents direct contact between the conductive portion 62 and the display device 9. If they come into direct contact, unwanted radiation may occur due to the nonlinearity that metal contacts may have. Using the cushion portion 4 having the above-described configuration can suppress such unwanted radiation.

[0039] Furthermore, at RF frequencies, the conductive member 6 is capacitively coupled to other members via the insulating layer 7. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the conductive portion 61 is capacitively coupled to the housing 1 via the insulating layer 71. The conductive portion 62 is capacitively coupled to the display device 9 via the insulating layer 72. That is, at RF frequencies, the housing 1 and the display device 9 are electrically coupled via the conductive member 6. As described above, the housing 1 has the reference potential of the antenna 3 (Fig. 1), and an antenna current flows throughout the housing 1, the conductive member 6, and the display device 9.

[0040] In one embodiment, a cushion portion 4 may be provided between the housing 1 and the substrate 2. Description will be made with reference to Figs.

[0041] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of an electronic device. The display device 9 (FIG. 1) is not shown, and only elements relevant to the following description are labeled with reference numerals. The board 2 is, for example, a board for controlling the display device 9 (display control board), and is provided with components such as a display driver.

[0042] The substrate 2 may include a conductive material, more specifically, a metal material. Examples of the metal material include copper and stainless steel. Other metal materials may also be used.

[0043] The surface of the substrate 2 on the negative side of the Z axis is referred to as the lower surface 2b (rear surface) and is illustrated as such. A metal member (for example, copper foil) is exposed on the lower surface 2b.

[0044] The housing 1 and the substrate 2 are assembled so that their upper surface 1a and lower surface 2b face each other. The substrate 2 can also be called a facing member that faces the housing 1. To the extent that there is no contradiction, the substrate 2 may be appropriately interpreted as a facing member. The facing member may be interpreted to refer to the portion of the substrate 2 that comes into contact with the cushion portion 4 in particular.

[0045] In the example shown in Fig. 3, a cushion portion 4 is also provided between the housing 1 and the substrate 2. This cushion portion 4 may have a different configuration from that previously described in Fig. 2. The following description will be made with reference to Fig. 4.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the cushion section. It shows a cross section of the cushion section 4 and its surroundings as viewed from the side. The housing 1, cushion section 4, and substrate 2 are positioned in this order along the positive Z-axis direction. The cushion section 4 includes an adhesive member 40, an elastic member 5, a conductive member 6, an insulating layer 7, and adhesive paper 8 (adhesive sheet). Differences from FIG. 2 will be particularly described below.

[0047] In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the adhesive member 40 is provided between the elastic member 5 and the substrate 2 so as to fix the cushion portion 4 to the substrate 2 .

[0048] The conductive portion 62 of the conductive member 6 is provided at a position away from the elastic member 5 (not overlapping with the elastic member 5 in the Z-axis direction) so as to face the substrate 2. The conductive portion 63 extends at an angle with respect to the XY plane so as to connect the conductive portion 61 and the conductive portion 63 together.

[0049] The insulating layer 7 includes only an insulating layer 71 provided between the conductive portion 61 and the housing 1 .

[0050] The adhesive paper 8 is provided between the conductive portion 62 and the substrate 2 so as to fix the conductive portion 62 to the substrate 2. Various known adhesive materials may be used. The adhesive paper 8 has a thickness in the Z-axis direction and extends in the XY plane. The upper surface of the adhesive paper 8 contacts (is in surface contact with) the lower surface 2b of the substrate 2. The lower surface of the adhesive paper 8 contacts (is in surface contact with) the upper surface 6a of the conductive member 6.

[0051] The adhesive paper 8 may be conductive or non-conductive (insulating). If the adhesive paper 8 is conductive, the conductive portion 62 is electrically connected to the substrate 2. If the adhesive paper 8 is non-conductive, the adhesive paper 8 may be provided between the conductive portion 62 and the substrate 2 so that the conductive portion 62 is capacitively coupled to the substrate 2. The upper surface of the conductive portion 62 and the lower surface 2b of the substrate 2 face each other via the adhesive paper 8, and this portion functions like a parallel plate capacitor. At RF frequencies, the conductive portion 62 and the substrate 2 are electrically coupled. At DC frequencies, the conductive portion 62 and the substrate 2 are electrically isolated. In this case, the adhesive paper 8 is designed to obtain the desired capacitive coupling. Dimensions may be similar to those of the insulating layer 7 described above.

[0052] The cushion part 4 having the above-described configuration is provided between the housing 1 and the substrate 2. The cushion part 4 includes the insulating layer 7 and adhesive paper 8, which prevents the conductive member 6 from coming into direct contact with other metals, etc. In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the insulating layer 71 prevents direct metal contact between the conductive part 61 and the housing 1. If the adhesive paper 8 is non-conductive, the adhesive paper 8 also prevents direct metal contact between the conductive part 62 and the substrate 2. If they come into direct contact, unwanted radiation may occur due to the nonlinearity that metal contacts may have. By using the cushion part 4 having the above-described configuration, such unwanted radiation can be suppressed.

[0053] Furthermore, at RF frequencies, the conductive member 6 is capacitively coupled to other members via the insulating layer 7 and adhesive paper 8. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the conductive portion 61 is capacitively coupled to the housing 1 via the insulating layer 71. The conductive portion 62 is electrically connected to or capacitively coupled to the substrate 2 via the adhesive paper 8. In other words, at RF frequencies, the housing 1 and the display device 9 are electrically coupled via the conductive member 6. An antenna current flows throughout the housing 1, the conductive member 6, and the substrate 2.

[0054] 2. Application Examples The electronic device 100 described above can be applied to various devices (apparatuses) that use antennas. One example of the electronic device 100 is a communication device (e.g., a mobile communication device such as a smartphone), in which case the antenna 3 is used for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals. Unwanted radiation is suppressed. Another example of the electronic device 100 is a power transmitting device or a power receiving device, in which case the antenna 3 is used for wirelessly transmitting or receiving power. The electronic device 100 is not limited to these, and various other electronic devices, such as a radar device that uses an antenna and a sensing device that detects a human body or an object, can also be used as the electronic device 100.

[0055] A configuration example in which the electronic device 100 is a communication device will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Hereinafter, the communication device will be referred to as a terminal device.

[0056] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a terminal device. The terminal device 10 includes a wireless communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, a control unit 13, and an output unit 14. Note that the illustrated configuration is functional, and the hardware configuration may be different. Furthermore, the functions of the terminal device 10 may be distributed and implemented across multiple physically separated components.

[0057] The wireless communication unit 11 is an antenna device for wireless communication with other wireless communication devices (for example, base stations and other terminal devices). The wireless communication unit 11 includes one or more antennas 111. The description will also refer to FIG. 6 .

[0058] 6 is a diagram showing an example of antenna arrangement. In this example, the terminal device 10 is a flat smart device, and antennas 111a, 111b, 111c, and 111d are arranged at the top, bottom, left, and right ends of the terminal device 10, respectively. Each of these multiple antennas 111 transmits radio waves in a predetermined direction and / or receives radio waves from a predetermined direction.

[0059] The antenna 111 may be an antenna configured with one antenna element or an antenna configured with multiple antenna elements. When the antenna 111 is configured with multiple antenna elements, the wireless communication unit 11 may be configured to generate a directional beam by controlling the directivity of the wireless signal using the multiple antenna elements. This will be described with reference to FIG. 7 as well.

[0060] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an antenna configuration. In this example, an inverted-F antenna is used as the antenna element. The inverted-F antenna is a type of linear antenna, and is configured, for example, by an antenna element 112 arranged around a housing and a ground plane 113 (housing, etc.). Note that the configuration of the antenna 111 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 7. Antennas of various configurations (for example, inverted-F, inverted-L, loop, or patch antennas) can be used for the antenna 111.

[0061] Returning to FIG. 5, the storage unit 12 is a data readable / writable storage device such as a DRAM, an SRAM, a flash memory, or a hard disk.

[0062] The control unit 13 is a controller that controls each unit of the terminal device 10. The control unit 13 is realized by a processor such as a CPU or an MPU. For example, the control unit 13 is realized by a processor executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the terminal device 10 using RAM or the like as a work area. The control unit 13 may also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. A CPU, an MPU, an ASIC, and an FPGA can all be considered controllers. The control unit 13 may also be realized by a GPU in addition to or instead of a CPU.

[0063] The output unit 14 is a device that outputs various types of information to the outside, such as sound, light, vibration, and images. For example, the output unit 14 is a speaker that outputs sound to the outside. The output unit 14 outputs various types of information to the user under the control of the control unit 13. The output unit 14 may include a display unit 141 that displays various types of information.

[0064] The display unit 141 is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. The display device may be a touch panel type display device, in which case it also functions as an input unit.

[0065] For example, the terminal device 10 described above can be the electronic device 100 according to the embodiment described above. The antenna 111 of the terminal device 10 corresponds to the antenna 3 of the electronic device 100. The display unit 141 of the terminal device 10 corresponds to the display device 9 of the electronic device 100. The functions of the wireless communication unit 11, memory unit 12, and control unit 13 of the terminal device 10 are realized by various components provided on the substrate 2 of the electronic device 100.

[0066] 3. Summary The technology described above can be specified, for example, as follows. One of the disclosed technologies is an electronic device 100. As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 , the electronic device 100 includes an antenna 3, a metal member (housing 1) having a reference potential (e.g., GND potential) for the antenna 3, an opposing member (display device 9, substrate 2) arranged to face the housing 1, and a cushion portion 4 arranged between the metal member and the opposing member. The cushion portion 4 includes an elastic member 5, a conductive member 6 (conductive portion 61) arranged between the elastic member 5 and the metal member, and an insulating layer 7 (insulating layer 71) arranged between the conductive member 6 and the metal member.

[0067] According to the electronic device 100, the cushion portion 4 includes the insulating layer 7, which prevents the conductive member 6 from coming into direct contact with other metals, etc. This makes it possible to suppress unwanted radiation that may be generated due to metal contacts.

[0068] 2 and 4, the conductive member 6 may be capacitively coupled to the metal member (housing 1), thereby electrically coupling the respective members at, for example, an RF frequency, allowing an antenna current to flow.

[0069] 1 and the like, the metal member (housing 1) may contain at least one of aluminum and magnesium. For example, by providing a cushion portion 4 between such a metal member and an opposing member, unwanted radiation can be suppressed.

[0070] 2 and the like, the insulating layer 7 may include at least one of an insulating film and an insulating paint. For example, in this manner, the insulating layer 7 provided between the conductive member 6 and the metal member can be obtained.

[0071] 2 and other figures, the conductive member 6 may include at least one of a woven fabric having a conductive film, a conductive film, a flexible member having conductivity, and a metal plate. For example, unnecessary radiation can be suppressed by using the cushion part 4 including such a conductive member 6.

[0072] As described with reference to Fig. 2 etc., the conductive member 6 and the insulating layer 7 may have an integrated structure. The integrated structure may be a conductive rubber, a conductive cushion, or a metal spring. The functions of both the conductive member 6 and the insulating layer 7 can be realized by the integrated structure.

[0073] 3 and 4, the opposing member (particularly the portion of the substrate 2 that comes into contact with the cushion portion 4) may be a non-conductive member. For example, by providing the cushion portion 4 between such a metal member and the opposing member, unwanted radiation can be suppressed.

[0074] As described with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the opposing member (part of the display device 9 or the substrate 2 that is in contact with the cushion portion 4 in particular) may be a metal member. The opposing member may contain at least one of copper and stainless steel. Even when the cushion portion 4 is provided between metal members, unwanted radiation can be suppressed.

[0075] As described with reference to Figure 4 and other figures, the conductive member 6 includes a first conductive portion (conductive portion 61) provided between the elastic member 5 and the metal member so as to face the metal member (housing 1), and a second conductive portion (conductive portion 62) provided so as to face the opposing member (substrate 2), and the second conductive portion may be electrically connected to the opposing member. The cushion portion 4 includes adhesive paper 8 provided between the second conductive portion and the opposing member, and the adhesive paper 8 may be conductive. This allows the respective members to be electrically coupled at, for example, RF frequencies, allowing an antenna current to flow.

[0076] As described with reference to Figures 2 and 4, the second conductive portion (conductive portion 62) may be capacitively coupled to the opposing member (display device 9, substrate 2). For example, as described with reference to Figure 2, the second conductive portion (conductive portion 62) may be provided between the elastic member 5 and the opposing member (display device 9), and the cushion portion 4 may include a second insulating layer (insulating layer 72) provided between the second conductive portion (conductive portion 62) and the opposing member. Alternatively, as described with reference to Figure 4, the cushion portion 4 may include adhesive paper 8 provided between the second conductive portion and the opposing member, and the adhesive paper 8 may be non-conductive. This allows the respective members to be electrically coupled at, for example, RF frequencies, to allow an antenna current to flow.

[0077] As described with reference to Fig. 1 etc., electronic device 100 may include housing 1 including a metal member and display device 9 including an opposing member. Also, as described with reference to Fig. 3 etc., electronic device 100 may include housing 1 including a metal member and substrate 2 (e.g., a display control substrate) including an opposing member. For example, in electronic device 100 configured in this manner, unwanted radiation can be suppressed.

[0078] 5 and the like, the electronic device 100 may be a communication device (terminal device 10). Unwanted radiation can be suppressed.

[0079] The effects described in this disclosure are merely examples and are not limited to the disclosed contents. Other effects may also be obtained.

[0080] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. Furthermore, components of different embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0081] The present technology can also be configured as follows. (1) An electronic device comprising: an antenna; a metal member having a reference potential of the antenna; a facing member provided to face the metal member; and a cushion portion provided between the metal member and the facing member, wherein the cushion portion includes: an elastic member; a conductive member provided between the elastic member and the metal member; and an insulating layer provided between the conductive member and the metal member. (2) The electronic device according to (1), wherein the conductive member is capacitively coupled to the metal member. (3) The electronic device according to (1) or (2), wherein the metal member includes at least one of aluminum and magnesium. (4) The electronic device according to any of (1) to (3), wherein the insulating layer includes at least one of an insulating film and an insulating paint. (5) The electronic device according to any of (1) to (4), wherein the conductive member includes at least one of a woven fabric having a conductive film, a conductive film, a conductive flexible member, and a metal plate. (6) The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the conductive member and the insulating layer have an integral structure. (7) The electronic device according to (6), wherein the integral structure is a conductive rubber, a conductive cushion, or a metal spring. (8) The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the opposing member is a non-conductive member. (9) The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the opposing member is a metal member. (10) The electronic device according to (9), wherein the opposing member includes at least one of copper and stainless steel. (11) The electronic device according to (9) or (10), wherein the conductive member includes: a first conductive portion provided between the elastic member and the metal member so as to face the metal member; and a second conductive portion provided so as to face the opposing member, wherein the second conductive portion is electrically conductive with the opposing member. (12) The electronic device according to (11), wherein the cushioning portion includes an adhesive paper provided between the second conductive portion and the opposing member, and the adhesive paper has electrical conductivity.(13) The electronic device according to (9) or (10), wherein the conductive member includes: a first conductive portion provided between the elastic member and the metal member so as to face the metal member; and a second conductive portion provided so as to face the facing member, wherein the second conductive portion is capacitively coupled to the facing member. (14) The electronic device according to (13), wherein the second conductive portion is provided between the elastic member and the facing member, and the cushion portion includes a second insulating layer provided between the second conductive portion and the facing member. (15) The electronic device according to (13), wherein the cushion portion includes adhesive paper provided between the second conductive portion and the facing member, and the adhesive paper is non-conductive. (16) The electronic device according to any of (1) to (15), comprising: a housing including the metal member; and a display device including the facing member. (17) The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (16), comprising: a housing including the metal member; and a substrate including the opposing member. (18) The electronic device according to (17), in which the substrate includes a substrate for controlling a display device. (19) The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (18), which is a communication device.

[0082] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Electronic device 1 Housing 1a Upper surface 2 Substrate 2b Lower surface 3 Antenna 4 Cushion part 40 Adhesive member 5 Elastic member 6 Conductive member 6a Upper surface 6b Lower surface 61 Conductive part (first conductive part) 62 Conductive part (second conductive part) 63 Conductive part (third conductive part) 7 Insulating layer 71 Insulating layer (first insulating layer) 72 Insulating layer (second insulating layer) 8 Adhesive paper 9 Display device 9b Lower surface 90 Display surface 10 Terminal device 11 Wireless communication unit 112 Antenna element 113 Ground plane 12 Memory unit 13 Control unit 14 Output unit 141 Display unit

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: an antenna; a metal member having a reference potential of the antenna; an opposing member arranged to face the metal member; and a cushion portion arranged between the metal member and the opposing member, wherein the cushion portion includes an elastic member, a conductive member arranged between the elastic member and the metal member, and an insulating layer arranged between the conductive member and the metal member.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive member is capacitively coupled to the metal member.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the metal member includes at least one of aluminum and magnesium.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the insulating layer includes at least one of an insulating film and an insulating paint.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive member includes at least one of a woven fabric having a conductive film, a conductive film, a conductive flexible member, and a metal plate.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive member and the insulating layer have an integral structure.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the integrated structure is a conductive rubber, a conductive cushion, or a metal spring.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing member is a non-conductive member.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the opposing member is a metal member.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the opposing member includes at least one of copper and stainless steel.

11. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the conductive member includes: a first conductive portion provided between the elastic member and the metal member so as to face the metal member; and a second conductive portion provided so as to face the facing member, and the second conductive portion is electrically connected to the facing member.

12. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the cushioning portion includes an adhesive paper provided between the second conductive portion and the opposing member, and the adhesive paper has electrical conductivity.

13. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the conductive member includes: a first conductive portion provided between the elastic member and the metal member so as to face the metal member; and a second conductive portion provided so as to face the facing member, and the second conductive portion is capacitively coupled to the facing member.

14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the second conductive portion is provided between the elastic member and the opposing member, and the cushion portion includes a second insulating layer provided between the second conductive portion and the opposing member.

15. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the cushioning portion includes an adhesive paper provided between the second conductive portion and the opposing member, and the adhesive paper is non-conductive.

16. The electronic device according to claim 1, comprising: a housing including the metal member; and a display device including the opposing member.

17. The electronic device according to claim 1, comprising: a housing including the metal member; and a substrate including the opposing member.

18. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein the substrate includes a substrate for controlling a display device.

19. The electronic device according to claim 1, which is a communication device.

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