Electronic Device Housing with Segmented Inner and Periphery Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in securing a sufficient physical interval between circuit devices and antennas, leading to distorted radiation performance due to human body influence and difficulties in downsizing while maintaining radiation characteristics.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device design featuring a housing with a non-metallic periphery member and a metallic inner member, where a conductive pattern with higher rigidity is inserted between them, along with a manufacturing method that molds the inner member with synthetic resin containing glass or carbon fibers and forms conductive patterns using metallic layers or print layers for improved stiffness and radiation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the radiator is disposed adjacent to the surface of the electronic device to secure physical interval, then the physical distance between circuit devices and radiator is improved, but radiation performance is distorted by human body influence
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two distinct members: an inner member containing the radiator and a periphery member forming the outer surface. This segmentation allows the radiator to be positioned away from the outer surface while maintaining structural integrity, thus securing physical interval from circuit devices without exposing the radiator to direct human body contact that would distort radiation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The periphery member acts as an intermediary between the radiator (in the inner member) and the external environment (human body). This intermediate layer provides both physical spacing for circuit devices and protection against human body influence on radiation characteristics, resolving the contradiction between physical interval and radiation performance.
2Volume of moving object
If the electronic device is downsized to improve integration, then the compactness is improved, but it becomes difficult to secure sufficient physical interval between circuit devices and antenna
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing horizontal spacing within the device footprint, the design utilizes the thickness dimension by positioning the radiator within the inner member that is offset from the periphery member's outer surface. This dimensional approach allows sufficient physical interval to be achieved without increasing overall device volume, enabling downsizing while maintaining required spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner member containing the radiator is nested within the periphery member structure. This nested configuration allows the radiator to be positioned in an inner cavity or compartment, maximizing the use of internal space and securing adequate physical interval from circuit devices while maintaining a compact overall device size.
3Strength
If a metallic material is used for the periphery member to improve rigidity, then the structural strength is improved, but radiation performance is degraded due to interference with electromagnetic waves
Solution Approach 1:
Different material properties are assigned to different parts of the housing: the inner member contains the metallic radiator material for electrical conductivity, while the periphery member uses non-metallic material to ensure electromagnetic wave transmission. This local differentiation of material quality allows the metallic component to provide structural support where needed without degrading overall radiation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing employs a composite structure combining metallic inner member material with non-metallic periphery member material. This composite design leverages the strengths of both materials: the metallic inner member provides rigidity and houses the radiator, while the non-metallic periphery member ensures electromagnetic wave transmission, thus achieving both structural strength and radiation performance.
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
The solution effectively maintains radiation performance by securing a sufficient interval between circuit devices and antennas, enhances the electronic device's stiffness and rigidity, and allows efficient use of internal space, while preventing radiation degradation from human body influence.
Implementation Method 1
injecting resin into an injection mold to mold an inner member
Implementation Method 2
a conductive pattern, at least a portion of which is inserted between the periphery member and the inner member, in which the inner member has higher rigidity or stiffness than the periphery member
Implementation Method 3
capable of suppressing distortion of radiation characteristics, caused by an influence of a human body while securing a sufficient physical interval between circuit devices or a conductive material and a radiator included as at least a portion of an antenna
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes an inner case, at least one radiator disposed on a surface of the inner case, and an outer case integrally formed on the surface of the inner case, in which the outer case at least partially conceals the radiator. A method for manufacturing a housing of an electronic device includes molding an inner member by injecting resin into an injection mold, extracting the inner member from the mold, forming or disposing a conductive pattern on a surface of the inner member, inserting the inner member comprising the conductive pattern into another injection mold, and molding a periphery member that encloses at least a portion of the inner member by injecting resin to the other injection mold, wherein rigidity or stiffness of the inner member is higher than that of the periphery member. Other embodiments are also disclosed.