Antenna Director Grip Sensing for Space-Constrained Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic devices face challenges in accommodating grip sensors due to space constraints, particularly as devices become thinner, leading to inefficiencies in grip detection and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a director, or conductive member, within the antenna module of portable communication devices allows for grip sensing without a separate sensor, utilizing the antenna module elements as both a grip sensor and electrode to detect user proximity and adjust transmission signal power accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a separate grip sensor is mounted inside the electronic device, then grip detection accuracy is improved, but internal space is consumed and device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip detection accuracyVSAvoidinternal space

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The director of the antenna module is designed to serve dual functions: maintaining antenna radiation performance and functioning as an electrode for grip sensing. By integrating the grip sensing function into the existing antenna structure, the patent eliminates the need for a separate grip sensor, thereby saving internal space while maintaining grip detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the antenna module and grip sensor into a single integrated structure. The director, which is a necessary component for antenna operation, is merged with the grip sensor electrode, allowing both functions to coexist in the same spatial footprint without requiring additional separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If a separate grip sensor is mounted inside the electronic device, then grip detection capability is improved, but device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The grip sensing function is nested within the antenna module structure. The director electrode is positioned within the antenna assembly, allowing the grip sensor to be housed within the existing structural envelope of the antenna module without requiring additional external space or increasing device thickness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Power

If transmission signal power is increased, then communication performance is improved, but adverse effects of electromagnetic waves on the human body increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission signal powerVSAvoidadverse effects of electromagnetic waves

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The grip sensor detects user proximity and provides feedback to the communication module, which then dynamically adjusts transmission signal power accordingly. When a user is detected near the device, the system automatically reduces transmission power to minimize electromagnetic wave exposure, while maintaining adequate power levels when no user is present to ensure communication performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission signal power is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system continuously monitors grip sensor data and adjusts transmission power in real-time based on user proximity, allowing optimal balance between communication performance and safety without requiring a fixed conservative power level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables efficient use of internal space, reduces power consumption, and minimizes the adverse effects of electromagnetic waves on the human body by using the antenna module to detect user grip and adjust signal power, thereby enhancing grip detection accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

at least one grip sensor circuit arranged in the internal space and electrically connected to at least one conductive portion included in at least one antenna module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4000244B1Method and electronic device for sensing grip using director of antenna module

Publication Date: 2024.08.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

Disclosed is an electronic device that may sense the proximity of a user by using a director of an antenna module as an electrode of a grip sensor without a separate sensor for detecting the user's proximity, thereby enabling efficient use of the internal space of the electronic device without having to secure a space for mounting a separate sensor. The electronic device may also reduce the power of a transmission signal by a preset back-off value in response to sensing the user's proximity, thereby minimize an adverse effect of electromagnetic waves on the human body caused by signal transmission.