Capacitive Antenna Coupling Structure for Space-Saving RF Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current antenna connection methods in electronic devices, such as mobile phones, require direct contact with elastic pins or screws, leading to increased space occupation and costs due to the need for elastic bonding pads and flexible metal buffers, and can generate harmonics due to metal contact.

Innovation Solution

A non-contact coupling connection is achieved using a stacked structure of a solder pad, a first dielectric layer, a coupling metal layer, and a second dielectric layer, where the solder pad is connected to the feed or ground point, and the second dielectric layer is connected to the antenna, forming a coupling capacitance for high-frequency current transmission without direct metal contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an elastic pin is used to electrically connect the antenna to the feed point or ground point, then the connection is reliable, but an elastic bonding pad must be arranged on the antenna and the elastic pin occupies large space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidspace occupied by connection apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact system (elastic pin directly touching bonding pad) with an electromagnetic field-based coupling system. The coupling metal layer creates a capacitive coupling field that transmits high-frequency signals without physical contact, eliminating the need for elastic pins and bonding pads while reducing occupied space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling metal layer acts as an intermediary between the antenna and the feed point/ground point. Instead of direct contact, the coupling metal layer creates a capacitive coupling interface that transfers electrical signals through electromagnetic field interaction, enabling connection without physical touch between metal surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a screw is used to electrically connect the antenna to the feed point or ground point, then the connection is stable, but flexible metal buffer material must be arranged on the antenna and feed point, leading to high cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical screw connection system with an electromagnetic capacitive coupling system. The stacked dielectric and metal layers create a stable electrical connection through field coupling, eliminating the need for screws and flexible metal buffer materials, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling metal layer serves as an intermediary that provides stable electrical connection without mechanical fasteners. The capacitive coupling interface between the coupling metal layer and antenna metal surface ensures stable signal transmission without requiring screws or buffer materials, simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If direct metal contact is used for antenna connection, then the electrical connection is straightforward, but harmonics are generated due to metal contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidharmonic generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling metal layer acts as an intermediary that prevents direct metal-to-metal contact between the antenna and feed point/ground point. By creating a capacitive coupling interface separated by dielectric layers, the system maintains electrical connection while avoiding the harmonic generation caused by direct metal contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the direct mechanical metal contact system with an electromagnetic field-based capacitive coupling system. This replacement eliminates the source of harmonic generation (direct metal contact) while maintaining electrical connection functionality through field-based energy transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reduces the space occupied by the antenna connection apparatus, lowers connection costs by eliminating the need for elastic bonding pads and flexible metal buffers, and avoids harmonic generation by using a non-contact electrical connection.

Implementation Method 1

the antenna and the coupling metal layer form a coupling capacitance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a non-contact coupling connection is achieved using a stacked structure... forming a coupling capacitance for high-frequency current transmission without direct metal contact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4071928B1Antenna connecting apparatus, antenna assembly and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4071928B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4071928B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4071928B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide an antenna connection apparatus, an antenna assembly, and an electronic device. The electronic device may be a mobile or fixed terminal with an antenna such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a handheld computer, a walkie-talkie, a netbook, a POS machine, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wearable device, a virtual reality device, a wireless USB flash drive, a Bluetooth speaker/earphone, or a part mounted on the front of a vehicle. A non-contact coupling connection between an antenna and a feed point or a ground point is implemented by using the antenna connection apparatus, to avoid arranging an elastic bonding pad or a flexible metal buffer material on the antenna and arranging an elastic pin and the flexible metal buffer material on the feed point or the ground point, thereby reducing connection cost of the antenna and a space occupied by the antenna connection apparatus in a mobile phone.