Integrated Display Antenna Structure for Thin Foldable Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of antennas into flexible display devices increases the overall thickness and compromises the folding properties, as existing solutions do not adequately consider the spatial efficiency and radiation performance requirements for such applications.
Innovation Solution
An antenna structure is designed with a support layer, a light-shielding pattern, and an antenna unit where the radiator is at the same level as the light-shielding pattern, and a signal pad is disposed on the light-shielding pattern, with a transmission line connecting them, allowing for reduced thickness and maintaining the neutral plane for smooth folding, while ensuring reliable radiation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional film or structure is formed for the introduction of the antenna, then the antenna radiation performance is improved, but the overall thickness of the flexible display is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna structure with the existing support layer and light-shielding pattern, integrating multiple functions into a single layered structure. The radiator is disposed at the same level as the light-shielding pattern, and the signal pad is formed on the light-shielding pattern, eliminating the need for separate antenna substrate layers while maintaining radiation performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical stacking dimension to arrange antenna components (radiator, signal pad, light-shielding pattern) at different levels within the existing display structure. This allows the antenna to be embedded without increasing the horizontal footprint, and by maintaining the neutral plane, avoids increasing the overall thickness
2Reliability
If an additional film or structure is formed for the introduction of the antenna, then the antenna radiation performance is improved, but the folding properties of the flexible display are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure is merged with the existing support layer and light-shielding pattern, creating an integrated structure that folds together with the display without requiring separate flexible antenna components. This integration ensures that the antenna maintains its radiation performance while conforming to the folded configuration
Solution Approach 2:
By arranging antenna components in vertical layers at different levels (radiator at light-shielding level, signal pad on light-shielding pattern), the patent creates a compact three-dimensional structure that can bend and fold without requiring additional flexible layers, thus preserving folding properties
3Area of stationary object
If the antenna is integrated into a limited space, then the spatial efficiency is improved, but the radiation and gain properties of the antenna are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar two-dimensional antenna layout to a three-dimensional layered structure. The radiator, signal pad, and light-shielding pattern are arranged at different vertical levels, allowing the antenna to achieve sufficient radiation and gain properties within the limited horizontal space of the flexible display
Solution Approach 2:
The light-shielding pattern serves dual functions: providing light shielding for the display and serving as a support structure for the signal pad. This multi-functionality allows the antenna components to be compactly arranged without requiring additional dedicated space, maintaining both spatial efficiency and radiation performance
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a support layer having a first surface and a second surface facing each other, a light-shielding pattern disposed on a peripheral portion of the first surface of the support layer, a radiator disposed at the same level as that of the light-shielding pattern on the first surface of the support layer, and a signal pad disposed on the light-shielding pattern and electrically connected to the radiator. A spatial efficiency of the antenna structure may be improved and a thickness of the image display device may be reduced to enhance a bending property.