Bracket-Mounted Antenna Layout for Thin Electronic Housings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antenna designs for 4G LTE and 5G Sub-6G frequency bands face a trade-off between broadband efficiency and device thickness, as increasing the distance between the antenna and the circuit board to reduce capacitance effects results in a thicker electronic device.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a casing with a hole allowing the bracket and antenna to extend beyond the accommodating space, increasing the distance between the antenna and circuit board while maintaining a thin device thickness, and uses a protective member made of flexible materials like foam or silicone to cover the exposed components, enhancing protection and appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the distance between the antenna and the circuit board is increased to reduce capacitance effect and improve antenna efficiency, then the electronic product becomes thicker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bracket structure that extends vertically from the circuit board, allowing the antenna to be positioned in a different spatial dimension (above the circuit board rather than beside it). This vertical arrangement increases the distance between the antenna and circuit board to reduce capacitance effects while maintaining a compact horizontal footprint, thus improving antenna efficiency without proportionally increasing overall device thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is nested within the device housing structure, with the antenna mounted on the bracket extending from the circuit board. This nested arrangement allows the antenna assembly to be integrated into the existing device form factor, maximizing the use of available vertical space while maintaining a slim overall profile.
2Reliability
If the bracket and antenna extend beyond the accommodating space to increase distance from the circuit board, then the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the antenna, increases the distance between the antenna and circuit board to reduce capacitance effects, and acts as a mounting structure that integrates with the housing. By combining these functions into a single component, the design achieves capacitance reduction without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket and housing are designed as integrated or closely coupled structures, where the bracket extends from the housing and the antenna is mounted on the bracket. This merging of components simplifies the overall assembly process and reduces the number of separate parts needed, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity while achieving the desired capacitance reduction.
3Strength
If the protective member is made thicker to provide better protection against drops, then the device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective member is strategically positioned only at the rear of the device where the antenna and bracket extend, rather than covering the entire device uniformly. This localized protection provides adequate drop protection for the vulnerable antenna assembly while minimizing the overall increase in device thickness. The protective member thickness is optimized to be sufficient for protection (2.5mm or more) only where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device including a casing, a circuit board, a bracket, an antenna, and a protective member is provided. The casing has an accommodating space and a hole communicating with the accommodating space. The circuit board is disposed in the accommodating space. The bracket is disposed above the circuit board, and at least part of the bracket is located in the accommodating space and the hole. At least part of the antenna is disposed on a portion of the bracket extending out of the accommodating space. The protective member is disposed on at least one surface of the casing and covers the hole, the bracket, and the antenna.