Foldable Antenna Side-Member Segmentation for Stable Radiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with rotating housings, such as foldable or swivel types, face challenges with antenna performance degradation due to overlapping metal members, which affect radiation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a foldable housing with a hinge structure and conductive units arranged in a specific sequence, including insulating units to align in a folded state, along with a flexible display and printed circuit boards with ground layers, and utilizes a frequency adjustment circuit to mitigate the impact of conductive units on antenna performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a foldable housing with rotating structures is used to create versatile device configurations, then adaptability is improved, but antenna radiation performance deteriorates due to overlapping metal members
Solution Approach 1:
The side member is divided into multiple conductive units (first, second, third conductive units) separated by insulating units. This segmentation allows selective electrical connection of conductive units based on device configuration, enabling the antenna to maintain proper ground references in both folded and unfolded states while preserving radiation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection state of conductive units is dynamically adjusted based on device configuration. In the folded state, the first and second conductive units are electrically connected to provide a ground reference for the antenna. In the unfolded state, they are electrically isolated to prevent interference. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between versatility and antenna performance.
2Volume of moving object
If conductive units are positioned close to the antenna in the folded state to maintain structural integrity, then device compactness is improved, but antenna radiation performance deteriorates due to electromagnetic interference
Solution Approach 1:
Insulating units are positioned between conductive units to act as electromagnetic intermediaries. These insulating units prevent direct electromagnetic coupling between conductive units and the antenna when they are in close proximity in the folded state, allowing compact positioning without degrading antenna radiation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the side member have different electrical properties. Conductive units provide ground references where needed, while insulating units provide electromagnetic isolation where needed. This local differentiation of electrical properties allows the structure to maintain both compactness and antenna performance.
3Reliability
If multiple conductive units are used to provide ground references for wireless communication circuits, then electrical reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional insulating units
Solution Approach 1:
The side member serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the foldable housing, contains conductive units that serve as ground references for the antenna, and includes insulating units that provide both physical separation and electromagnetic isolation. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining electrical reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating units serve dual purposes: they physically separate conductive units structurally and simultaneously provide electromagnetic isolation to prevent interference. This merging of structural and electromagnetic functions reduces the need for additional components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining electrical reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device according to an embodiment may include a first housing structure, a second housing structure, and a foldable housing structure for connecting the first housing structure and the second housing structure. The first housing structure and the second housing structure may include a front plate for interconnecting front surfaces with a flexible display, a rear plate which is an opposite surface to the front plate, a side member which surrounds a space between the front plate and the rear plate, and includes at least in part a conductive portion and an insulating portion, a communication circuit and at least one switch electrically connected to the communication circuit. Other various embodiments are possible.