Combo antenna module

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a technology relating to a combo antenna module mounted in an electronic device, wherein both ends of at least one of a base substrate and a metal sheet are disposed to overlap a shielding sheet disposed outside an accommodation space, so as to prevent occurrence of short-circuiting between the shielding sheet and a wire coil.

Description

Combo Antenna Module

[0001] The present invention relates to a combo antenna module including a wire coil and an antenna pattern.

[0002] In the design of combo antenna modules, a structure integrating wireless charging and communication functions is generally widely adopted. This design maximizes space utilization by placing the wireless charging wire coil and the communication antenna within the same module, while simultaneously pursuing lightweight and slim designs.

[0003] In the design of wire coils for wireless charging, a method of applying a thin FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board) pattern to the pattern area connecting from the inner end to the outer end of the coil is mainly used to reduce the overall thickness. At this time, in the area where the wire coil and the FPCB pattern overlap, other materials such as shielding sheets and heat-dissipating sheets are removed so as not to increase the overall thickness.

[0004] While this method offers the advantage of securing wireless charging performance while maintaining a slim structure, there is a problem in that a short circuit may occur between the materials depending on the manufacturing process, leading to abnormal operation and performance degradation of the combo antenna module.

[0005] The matters described in the background technology above are intended to aid in understanding the background of the invention and may include matters that are not disclosed prior art.

[0006] The present invention is proposed in consideration of the above circumstances and aims to provide a combo antenna module that prevents a short circuit between a shielding sheet and a wire coil caused by burrs on the shielding sheet generated during the manufacturing process.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned objective, a combo antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a first antenna and a second antenna, and a vertical cross-section of an overlapping region in which the first antenna and the second antenna are overlapped comprises a shielding sheet having a receiving space formed therein, an antenna pattern formed in an area overlapping with the receiving space, a base substrate disposed below the shielding sheet, a metal sheet disposed below the base substrate and arranged to overlap with the receiving space, and a wire coil disposed below the antenna pattern, wherein at least one end portion of the base substrate and the metal sheet overlaps with a shielding sheet disposed in an outer region of the receiving space.

[0008] The width of the base material is formed to be wider than the width of the receiving space, the base material is interposed between the shielding sheet and the wire coil, and the gap between the end of the base material and the end of the receiving space may be greater than or equal to a set gap.

[0009] The left end of the base material may be positioned adjacent to a first vertical axis that divides a shielding sheet placed on the left side of the receiving space, and the right end of the base material may be positioned adjacent to a second vertical axis that divides a shielding sheet placed on the right side of the receiving space.

[0010] The gap between the left end of the base material and the right end of the receiving space may be formed wider than the gap between the first vertical axis and the left end of the base material, and the gap between the right end of the base material and the right end of the receiving space may be formed wider than the gap between the second vertical axis and the right end of the base material.

[0011] The width of the metal sheet is formed to be wider than the width of the receiving space, and the metal sheet can be interposed between the shielding sheet and the wire coil.

[0012] The left end of the metal sheet may be positioned adjacent to a first vertical axis that divides the shielding sheet positioned on the left side of the receiving space, and the right end of the metal sheet may be positioned adjacent to a second vertical axis that divides the shielding sheet positioned on the right side of the receiving space.

[0013] The gap between the left end of the metal sheet and the right end of the receiving space may be formed wider than the gap between the first vertical axis and the left end of the metal sheet, and the gap between the right end of the metal sheet and the right end of the receiving space may be formed wider than the gap between the second vertical axis and the right end of the metal sheet.

[0014] The width of the base substrate and the width of the metal sheet are formed to be wider than the width of the receiving space, and the base substrate and the metal sheet may be interposed between the shielding sheet and the wire coil.

[0015] The antenna pattern may include a first antenna pattern disposed on the upper surface of the base substrate and overlapping with the receiving space, and a second antenna pattern disposed on the lower surface of the base substrate and overlapping with the receiving space.

[0016] The receiving space is formed by penetrating the shielding sheet, but can be formed in the area where the antenna pattern and wire coil overlap.

[0017] According to the present invention, since the two ends of the base substrate of the combo antenna module are arranged to overlap with a shielding sheet placed outside the receiving space, there is an effect of preventing burrs on the shielding sheet generated during the process of compressing the combo antenna module from coming into contact with the wire coil.

[0018] In addition, the combo antenna module has the effect of preventing short circuits between the burrs of the shielding sheet and the wire coil by preventing damage to the wire coil caused by burrs of the shielding sheet.

[0019] In addition, the combo antenna module is positioned so that the end of the base substrate overlaps with a shielding sheet placed on the outer side of the receiving space, and is adjacent to the vertical axis that divides the shielding sheet, thereby having the effect of preventing a short circuit between the burr of the shielding sheet and the wire coil even if an additional compression process is performed to reduce the thickness of the combo antenna.

[0020] Figures 1 and 2 are drawings for explaining the configuration of a typical combo antenna module.

[0021] FIGS. 3 to 5 are drawings illustrating a prior art for preventing a short circuit between a shielding sheet and a wire coil.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an overlapping region in which a first antenna and a second antenna are overlapped in a combo antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an overlapping region to explain the compression process of a combo antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIGS. 8 and 9 are vertical cross-sectional views of an overlapping area to illustrate a modified example of a combo antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an overlapping area to illustrate another variation of a combo antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an overlapping area to illustrate a modified example of the first antenna of a combo antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0028] The embodiments are provided to more fully explain the invention to those skilled in the art, and the following embodiments may be modified in various different forms, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure more faithful and complete and to fully convey the spirit of the invention.

[0029] The terms used herein are for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Additionally, the singular form in this specification may include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0030] In the description of the embodiments, where each layer (film), region, pattern, or structure is described as being formed "on" or "under" the substrate, each layer (film), region, pad, or pattern, "on" and "under" include both being formed "directly" and "indirectly" through another layer. In addition, the reference for the top or bottom of each layer is, in principle, based on the drawings.

[0031] The drawings are intended solely to facilitate an understanding of the concept of the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Additionally, relative thicknesses, lengths, or sizes in the drawings may be exaggerated for convenience and clarity of explanation.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, the combo antenna module is an antenna module mounted on an electronic device and is configured to include a first antenna (10) and a second antenna (20).

[0033] The first antenna (10) is composed of a loop wire coil (21) formed by winding a wire coil (21) multiple times on a virtual winding axis in a plane. The first antenna (10) is composed of a loop wire coil (21) and operates as an antenna in the first frequency band.

[0034] The first antenna (10) is exemplified as a loop coil antenna for wireless power transmission. The first antenna (10) wirelessly receives power from a wireless power transmission antenna built into a charging device. The first antenna (10) may also wirelessly transmit power to a wireless power transmission antenna built into another electronic device. In this case, the first antenna (10) is exemplified as wirelessly transmitting and receiving power through the WPC (Wireless Power Consortium) method.

[0035] The second antenna (20) is composed of an FPCB antenna including an antenna pattern (16) formed on a flexible circuit board (FPCB). The second antenna (20) is composed of an FPCB antenna and operates as an antenna in a second frequency band different from the first frequency.

[0036] The second antenna (20) is exemplified as an FPCB antenna for short-range communication. The second antenna (20) transmits and receives data with an antenna module embedded in another electronic device. At this time, the second antenna (20) is exemplified as wirelessly transmitting and receiving data through NFC (Near Field Communication).

[0037] The combo antenna module integrates a first antenna (10), which is a wire coil (21), and a second antenna (20), which is an FPCB antenna, to maximize space efficiency and enable lightweight and slim design. Accordingly, the application rate of the combo antenna module in electronic devices is increasing in line with the trend of lightweight and slim electronic devices.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, in the design of the combo antenna module, a structure is mainly used in which both ends of the first antenna (10), which is a wire coil (21), are joined to the terminal pattern of the second antenna (20), which is a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB), in order to reduce the overall thickness.

[0039] Since the combo antenna module has a structure in which the first antenna (10), which is a wire antenna, is placed on one side of the second antenna (20), which is an FPCB antenna, an overlapping area (A) of the first antenna (10) and the second antenna (20) occurs, and the overlapping area (A) of the first antenna (10) and the second antenna (20) increases the thickness of the combo antenna module.

[0040] Accordingly, in the design of the combo antenna module, other materials such as a shielding sheet and a heat-dissipating sheet are removed (or punched out) in the overlapping area (A) to prevent an increase in the thickness of the combo antenna module while ensuring antenna performance.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 3, in the overlapping area (A), the vertical cross-section of the combo antenna module has a heat dissipation sheet (12), a first shielding sheet (13a), a second shielding sheet (13b), a first metal sheet (14; TMK), a base substrate (15), an antenna pattern (16), a second metal sheet (17; BMK), and a wire coil (21) arranged sequentially.

[0042] Based on the drawing, a coverlay sheet (11) may be placed at the top of the overlapping area (A). Between the heat dissipation sheet (12) and the first shielding sheet (13a), and between the first shielding sheet (13a) and the second shielding sheet (13b), a coverlay sheet (11) and an adhesive sheet (18) may be interposed to bond the two adjacent sheets. Between the second shielding sheet (13b) and the first metal sheet (14), an adhesive sheet (18) may be interposed to bond the two sheets.

[0043] In the first shielding sheet (13a) and the second shielding sheet (13b), a receiving space (B) is formed to accommodate a base substrate (15) and an antenna pattern (16) in order to minimize the increase in thickness of the combo antenna module. If the first shielding sheet (13a) and the second shielding sheet (13b) are made of a metal material, there is a possibility that a fine burr (C) may occur during the process of punching the first shielding sheet (13a) and the second shielding sheet (13b) to form the receiving space (B).

[0044] Referring to FIG. 4, during the compression process to minimize the thickness of the combo antenna module, a short circuit occurs between the insulating layer at the bottom of the shielding sheet and the thin coil due to burrs (C) generated on the shielding sheet, resulting in abnormal operation and performance degradation. That is, during the compression process, the insulating material (22) coated on the surface of the wire coil (21) may be damaged due to burrs (C) on the shielding sheet. Due to the damage to the insulating material (22), a short circuit occurs between the shielding sheet and the wire coil (21).

[0045] In particular, the combo antenna module may even cause interference problems with the second antenna (20) for short-range communication, so additional design is required for stable operation.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 5, the combo antenna module may further include an insulating sheet (19) placed between the shielding sheet and the coil to prevent short circuits caused by burrs (C) of the shielding sheet, but if the combo antenna module further includes the insulating sheet (19), the overall thickness of the antenna increases.

[0047] In addition, the combo antenna module may have constraints on the spacing and placement structure between the coil and the FPCB pattern for optimization with the communication antenna.

[0048] Accordingly, the combo antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention presents a new structure capable of minimizing the thickness of the antenna while maintaining a balance between wireless charging and communication performance.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 6, a combo antenna module according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a first antenna (100) and a second antenna (200). In the combo antenna module, a heat dissipation sheet (120), a first shielding sheet (130a), a second shielding sheet (130b), a first metal sheet (140), a base substrate (150), an antenna pattern (160), a second metal sheet (170), and a wire coil (210) are sequentially arranged based on a vertical cross-section of an overlapping area (A). Here, the heat dissipation sheet (120), the first shielding sheet (130a), the second shielding sheet (130b), the first metal sheet (140), the base substrate (150), the antenna pattern (160), and the second metal sheet (170) are components of the first antenna (100), and the wire coil (210) is a component of the second antenna (200).

[0050] Hereinafter, the description will be based on the vertical cross-section of the overlapping area (A) of the combo antenna module shown in FIG. 6. Here, the arrangement order shown in FIG. 6 is an example to facilitate the explanation of the combo antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the arrangement order may vary depending on the electronic device to which it is applied.

[0051] A coverlay sheet (110) may be placed on the uppermost part of the overlapping area (A). Between the heat dissipation sheet (120) and the first shielding sheet (130a), and between the first shielding sheet (130a) and the second shielding sheet (130b), a coverlay sheet (110) and an adhesive sheet (180) may be interposed to bond the two adjacent sheets. Between the second shielding sheet (130b) and the first metal sheet (140), an adhesive sheet (180) may be interposed to bond the two sheets.

[0052] In order to prevent a short circuit caused by a burr on the shielding sheet (130) when the combo antenna module is compressed, the width of the base material (150) is formed to be wider than the width of the receiving space (B). That is, both ends of the base material (150) are arranged to overlap with the outer area of ​​the receiving space (B). Both ends of the base material (150) are arranged outside the receiving space (B) and overlap with the shielding sheet (130) arranged outside the receiving space (B).

[0053] For example, the width (D2) of the base material (150) is defined as the distance between the left end and the right end of the base material (150) based on the vertical cross-section of the overlapping area, and is formed to be wider than the width (D1) of the receiving space (B).

[0054] Since some sagging may occur during the compression process of the base material (150), the width (D2) of the base material (150) is set so that the gap (G1, G2) between the end of the receiving space (B) and the end of the base material (150) is greater than or equal to the set gap.

[0055] Here, since the setting interval may vary depending on the size of the antenna, the size of the demand space, the size (width) of the antenna pattern (160), etc., the numerical limitation of the setting interval is omitted.

[0056] The left end of the base material (150) overlaps with the shielding sheet (130) placed on the left side of the receiving space (B), and may be positioned adjacent to the first vertical axis (V1) that divides the shielding sheet (130). The gap (G1) between the left end of the base material (150) and the left end of the receiving space (B) is formed wider than the gap (G3) between the first vertical axis (V1) and the left end of the base material (150).

[0057] The right end of the base material (150) overlaps with the shielding sheet (130) placed on the right side of the receiving space (B), and may be positioned adjacent to the second vertical axis (V2) that divides the shielding sheet (130). The gap (G2) between the right end of the base material (150) and the right end of the receiving space (B) is formed wider than the gap (G4) between the second vertical axis (V2) and the right end of the base material (150).

[0058] Referring to FIG. 7, since the two ends of the base substrate (150) of the combo antenna module are positioned to overlap with the shielding sheet (130) placed outside the receiving space (B), the burrs of the shielding sheet (130) generated during the process of compressing the combo antenna module are prevented from coming into contact with the wire coil (210).

[0059] Accordingly, the combo antenna module can prevent damage to the wire coil (210) caused by the burr of the shielding sheet (130), thereby preventing a short circuit from occurring between the burr of the shielding sheet (130) and the wire coil (210).

[0060] In addition, the combo antenna module is positioned so that the end of the base substrate (150) overlaps with the shielding sheet (130) placed outside the receiving space (B), and is positioned adjacent to the vertical axis that divides the shielding sheet (130) into two, thereby preventing a short circuit from occurring between the burr of the shielding sheet (130) and the wire coil (210) even if an additional compression process is performed to reduce the thickness.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 8, the width (D3) of the second metal sheet (170) is defined as the distance between the left end and the right end of the second metal sheet (170) based on the vertical cross-section of the overlapping area, and is formed to be wider than the width (D1) of the receiving space (B).

[0062] Both ends of the second metal sheet (170) are placed in the outer region of the receiving space (B). Both ends of the second metal sheet (170) are placed outside the receiving space (B) and are positioned to overlap with the shielding sheet (130) placed outside the receiving space (B).

[0063] The left end of the second metal sheet (170) overlaps with the shielding sheet (130) placed on the left side of the receiving space (B), and may be positioned adjacent to the first vertical axis (V1) that divides the shielding sheet (130). The gap (G1') between the left end of the second metal sheet (170) and the end of the receiving space (B) is formed wider than the gap (G3') between the first vertical axis (V1) and the left end of the second metal sheet (170).

[0064] The right end of the second metal sheet (170) overlaps with the shielding sheet (130) placed on the right side of the receiving space (B), and may be positioned adjacent to the second vertical axis (V2) that divides the shielding sheet (130). The gap (G2') between the right end of the second metal sheet (170) and the right end of the receiving space (B) is formed wider than the gap (G4') between the second vertical axis (V2) and the right end of the second metal sheet (170).

[0065] Referring to FIG. 9, since the two ends of the second metal sheet (170) of the combo antenna module are positioned to overlap with the shielding sheet (130) placed outside the receiving space (B), the burrs of the shielding sheet (130) are prevented from coming into contact with the wire coil (210) during the process of compressing the combo antenna module.

[0066] Accordingly, the combo antenna module can prevent damage to the wire coil (210) caused by the burr of the shielding sheet (130), thereby preventing a short circuit from occurring between the burr of the shielding sheet (130) and the wire coil (210).

[0067] Referring to FIG. 10, the width (D2) of the base substrate (150) and the width (D3) of the second metal sheet (170) are formed wider than the width (D1) of the receiving space (B) based on the vertical cross-section of the overlapping area.

[0068] Both ends of the base substrate (150) and both ends of the second metal sheet (170) are positioned in the outer region of the receiving space (B). Both ends of the base substrate (150) and both ends of the second metal sheet (170) are positioned outside the receiving space (B) and are arranged to overlap with the shielding sheet (130) positioned outside the receiving space (B).

[0069] Accordingly, since the two ends of the base substrate (150) and the second metal sheet (170) of the combo antenna module are arranged to overlap with the shielding sheet (130) placed outside the receiving space (B), the burrs of the shielding sheet (130) are prevented from coming into contact with the wire coil (210) during the process of compressing the combo antenna module.

[0070] Accordingly, the combo antenna module can prevent damage to the wire coil (210) caused by the burr of the shielding sheet (130), thereby preventing a short circuit from occurring between the burr of the shielding sheet (130) and the wire coil (210).

[0071] Referring to FIG. 11, in a combo antenna module according to an embodiment of the present invention, a heat dissipation sheet (120), a first shielding sheet (130a), a second shielding sheet (130b), a first metal sheet (140), a first antenna pattern (160a), a base substrate (150), a second antenna pattern (160b), a second metal sheet (170), and a wire coil (210) may be sequentially arranged based on a vertical cross-section of an overlapping area (A).

[0072]

[0073] At this time, at least one of the width (D2) of the base material (150) and the width (D3) of the second metal sheet (170) is formed wider than the width (D1) of the receiving space (B) based on the vertical cross-section of the overlapping area.

[0074] At least one end of the base substrate (150) and the second metal sheet (170) is positioned in an outer region of the receiving space (B). At least one end of the base substrate (150) and the second metal sheet (170) is positioned outside the receiving space (B) and is positioned to overlap with the shielding sheet (130) positioned outside the receiving space (B).

[0075] Accordingly, since the combo antenna module is positioned such that at least one end of the base substrate (150) and the second metal sheet (170) overlaps with the shielding sheet (130) positioned outside the receiving space (B), the burrs of the shielding sheet (130) are prevented from coming into contact with the wire coil (210) during the process of compressing the combo antenna module.

[0076] Accordingly, the combo antenna module can prevent damage to the wire coil (210) caused by the burr of the shielding sheet (130), thereby preventing a short circuit from occurring between the burr of the shielding sheet (130) and the wire coil (210).

[0077] The foregoing description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to explain, not limit, the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. Includes a first antenna and a second antenna, The vertical cross-section of the overlapping region where the first antenna and the second antenna are overlapped is, A shielding sheet with a formed receiving space; An antenna pattern is formed in an area overlapping with the above-mentioned receiving space, and a base substrate disposed below the shielding sheet; A metal sheet disposed at the lower part of the base material and positioned to overlap with the receiving space; It includes a wire coil positioned at the bottom of the above antenna pattern, and A combo antenna module in which at least one end portion of the base substrate and the metal sheet overlaps with a shielding sheet disposed in an outer region of the receiving space.

2. In Paragraph 1, A combo antenna module in which the width of the base substrate is formed wider than the width of the receiving space, and the base substrate is interposed between the shielding sheet and the wire coil.

3. In Paragraph 2, A combo antenna module in which the gap between the end of the base material and the end of the receiving space is greater than or equal to a set gap.

4. In Paragraph 2, The left end of the above base material is positioned adjacent to a first vertical axis that divides the shielding sheet placed on the left side of the receiving space, and The right end of the above base material is a combo antenna module positioned adjacent to a second vertical axis that divides the shielding sheet positioned on the right side of the receiving space.

5. In Paragraph 4, The gap between the left end of the base substrate and the right end of the receiving space is formed wider than the gap between the first vertical axis and the left end of the base substrate, and A combo antenna module in which the gap between the right end of the base substrate and the right end of the receiving space is wider than the gap between the second vertical axis and the right end of the base substrate.

6. In Paragraph 1, A combo antenna module in which the width of the metal sheet is formed wider than the width of the receiving space, and the metal sheet is interposed between the shielding sheet and the wire coil.

7. In Paragraph 6, The left end of the metal sheet is positioned adjacent to a first vertical axis that divides the shielding sheet placed on the left side of the receiving space, and The right end of the metal sheet is a combo antenna module positioned adjacent to a second vertical axis that divides the shielding sheet positioned to the right of the receiving space.

8. In Paragraph 7, The gap between the left end of the metal sheet and the right end of the receiving space is formed wider than the gap between the first vertical axis and the left end of the metal sheet, and A combo antenna module in which the gap between the right end of the metal sheet and the right end of the receiving space is wider than the gap between the second vertical axis and the right end of the metal sheet.

9. In Paragraph 1, A combo antenna module in which the width of the base substrate and the width of the metal sheet are formed wider than the width of the receiving space, and the base substrate and the metal sheet are interposed between the shielding sheet and the wire coil.

10. In Paragraph 1, The above antenna pattern is, A first antenna pattern disposed on the upper surface of the base substrate and overlapping with the receiving space; and A combo antenna module comprising a second antenna pattern disposed on the lower surface of the base substrate and overlapping with the receiving space.

11. In Paragraph 1, A combo antenna module formed in a region overlapping the antenna pattern and the wire coil, wherein the above receiving space is formed by penetrating the shielding sheet.

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