Antenna Switching for Foldable Device Grip Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices experience antenna performance degradation due to contact with a user's body, leading to reduced communication sensitivity and radiation efficiency, known as the 'death grip' phenomenon.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sensor to detect user contact and a processor that switches the antenna connection between a primary and secondary antenna circuit, allowing signal transmission through the secondary antenna when contact is detected, thereby maintaining communication performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the metal housing is used as an antenna, then the device structure is simplified and aesthetic appearance is improved, but antenna performance degrades due to user body contact
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into multiple independent antenna elements (first antenna and second antenna) within the housing. When user contact is detected, the system switches between different antenna segments to maintain performance, resolving the contradiction between simplified structure and reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter by switching between different antenna elements based on detected user contact conditions. This dynamic parameter change allows the same housing structure to adapt to different usage scenarios, maintaining antenna performance while preserving structural simplicity.
2Device complexity
If a single antenna is used, then device complexity is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates when user contact occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system transitions from a static single-antenna configuration to a dynamic multi-antenna system that can switch between elements based on real-time sensor feedback. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing communication reliability only when needed, without permanently increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses onboard sensors to automatically detect user contact conditions and autonomously switches between antenna elements without external intervention. This self-service capability maintains communication reliability while avoiding the need for complex external control systems.
3Reliability
If antenna switching is implemented, then antenna performance is maintained during user contact, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor acts as an intermediary between the user contact condition and the antenna switching decision. This intermediary simplifies the control mechanism by providing automatic detection and triggering, reducing the complexity of the switching logic while maintaining reliable antenna performance during user contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where sensors continuously monitor user contact conditions and provide real-time information to the control circuit, which then adjusts antenna selection accordingly. This feedback mechanism maintains antenna performance reliability while using simple, intuitive control logic that minimizes overall system complexity.
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
Prevents antenna performance degradation by switching to a secondary antenna when user contact is detected, ensuring consistent communication efficiency and radiation performance.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to detect a contact of a user's body portion
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a foldable housing, a communication circuit, a first transmission/reception circuit configured to transmit/receive a signal in a first frequency band, a first antenna electrically connected to the first transmission/reception circuit, and disposed on a portion of the first side member, a second transmission/reception circuit configured to transmit/receive a signal in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, a second antenna electrically connected to the second transmission/reception circuit, and disposed on a portion of the first side member, a sensor configured to detect a contact of a user's body portion, and a processor. The processor may be configured to cause the first transmission/reception circuit to be electrically connected to the second antenna such that the signal in the first frequency band is transmitted/received through the second antenna when the contact of the user's body portion is detected by the sensor.