Foldable Antenna Hinge Structure for Frequency Band Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices with conductive hinges face challenges in matching desired operating frequency bands due to the placement of antennas near conductive hinge structures, leading to shifts in frequency bands and compromised radiation performance.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a conductive hinge structure as part of the antenna, utilizing a first and second conductive portion with non-conductive portions to form an annular path on a printed circuit board, allowing for adjustable frequency operation through a switching element controlled by a processor, ensuring optimal radiation performance regardless of the device's state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the antenna is disposed near the conductive hinge structure, then the device structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the operating frequency band cannot be matched and frequency band shifts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna structure with the hinge structure by making the hinge structure itself conductive and part of the antenna system. The conductive hinge structure serves dual purposes: providing the mechanical folding function and acting as part of the antenna's radiating element, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining frequency band matching through integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a switching element that can dynamically change the electrical connection state between different conductive portions. This allows the antenna to adapt its electrical length and resonant frequency based on the hinge's position (folded or unfolded state), ensuring frequency band matching is maintained despite structural changes
2Adaptability or versatility
If the conductive member is divided into segments with non-conductive dielectric material, then the electrical length of the antenna can be adjusted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the hinge structure itself conductive and multi-functional, serving both as the mechanical folding component and as part of the antenna system. This eliminates the need for separate antenna components and complex segmentation, achieving frequency band adaptability through the hinge's positional changes rather than physical reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive hinge structure serves itself by providing both mechanical support and antenna functionality. The hinge's natural movement between folded and unfolded states automatically adjusts the antenna's electrical characteristics, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms or complex segmented structures
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a foldable housing, a flexible display, at least one printed circuit board (PCB), and a wireless communication circuit. The foldable housing includes a hinge structure, a first housing structure connected to the hinge structure and including a first surface facing in a first direction, a second surface facing in a direction opposite to the first direction, and a first lateral member surrounding a first space between the first surface and the second surface, and a second housing structure connected to the hinge structure and including a third surface facing in a second direction, a fourth surface facing in a direction opposite to the second direction, and a second lateral member surrounding a second space between the third surface and the fourth surface.