Extendable Display Antenna Placement With Fold-State Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable wireless devices face challenges in accommodating additional antenna elements due to their compact form factor, which limits antenna placement and performance, especially with advancements in wireless transmission techniques like MIMO and beamforming.
Innovation Solution
A foldable housing design that dynamically activates additional antennas when unfolded and deactivates them when folded, using a shorting connection between antennas and a ground plane, allowing for a more complex antenna configuration in the unfolded state while maintaining a compact form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional antenna elements are included to support MIMO and beamforming, then wireless transmission performance is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic antenna system where the second antenna is selectively activated or deactivated based on the display configuration. When the display is unfolded, the second antenna is activated to provide additional wireless transmission capability for MIMO and beamforming. When the display is folded, the second antenna is deactivated through a shorting connection. This dynamic activation allows the device to adapt its antenna configuration to the available space, resolving the contradiction between transmission performance and device complexity.
2Volume of moving object
If antenna elements are placed in compact spaces, then portability is improved, but antenna performance and signal strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna system into two separate antenna elements (first antenna and second antenna) positioned in different regions of the device. The first antenna is positioned adjacent to the first display panel while the second antenna is positioned adjacent to the second display panel. This segmentation allows each antenna to be optimally positioned within the compact form factor, maximizing their individual performance while maintaining portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the third dimension (depth/thickness) of the foldable device to position antenna elements in different spatial layers. The first antenna is positioned in the first housing section while the second antenna is positioned in the second housing section, which can be folded along a hinge axis. This three-dimensional arrangement allows both antennas to be accommodated in a compact form factor without compromising their performance, as they occupy different spatial zones along the folding dimension.
3Productivity
If multiple antenna elements are active simultaneously, then data throughput is improved, but space requirements and interference risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of antenna activation based on the display configuration. When the display is unfolded, both the first antenna and second antenna can be active simultaneously to provide high data throughput through MIMO and beamforming techniques. When the display is folded, the second antenna is deactivated through a shorting connection that creates a low-impedance path to ground, preventing it from radiating. This dynamic activation strategy allows the system to maximize data throughput when space permits while avoiding interference when antennas are in close proximity.
4Reliability
If antenna configuration is optimized for unfolded state, then wireless performance is improved, but compact form factor capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamically adaptable antenna system that automatically reconfigures based on the display state. The system includes a detecting mechanism that monitors whether the display is folded or unfolded, and a switching mechanism that activates or deactivates the second antenna accordingly. When unfolded, the system provides optimized wireless performance with both antennas active. When folded, the system adapts by deactivating the second antenna through shorting, maintaining compact form factor capability. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between optimized wireless performance and form factor versatility.
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 design enhances antenna performance by supporting a greater number of active antenna elements in the unfolded configuration, improving signal strength and data throughput while maintaining portability.
Implementation Method 1
the λ/ 4 element is grounded to be a passive element and is operated by electromagnetic coupling with the deformed monopole antenna element
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A
AI summary
An electronic device includes a housing having a first panel connected to a second panel movable between folded and unfolded configurations. A first antenna is located adjacent to the first panel and a second antenna is located adjacent to the second panel. The second antenna is activated when the housing is in an unfolded configuration and is deactivated when the housing is in a folded configuration.