Foldable Metal-Shell Antenna Slot Coupling Across Hinge States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices with metal shells experience degraded antenna performance and communication quality due to changes in the antenna's working environment, particularly when in different folded states, leading to frequency offsets and reduced radiation power.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a first and second metal shell with corresponding slots, allowing the radiator to couple with either the first slot or both slots in different states, thereby reducing the adverse effects of the metal shells on the antenna environment and maintaining consistent communication performance across various folded states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the antenna is placed in a foldable electronic device with metal shells, then the device achieves structural integrity and aesthetic appearance, but the antenna communication quality deteriorates due to changes in working environment in folded states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single antenna system into multiple independent antenna units (first antenna and second antenna) positioned at different locations within the metal shell. Each antenna can operate independently or in coordination, allowing the system to maintain communication quality across different folded states by selecting or combining antenna outputs based on the current configuration.
2Strength
If the metal shell structure is used for protection and aesthetics, then device durability is improved, but antenna radiation performance deteriorates due to electromagnetic shielding effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an antenna isolation structure positioned between the antenna and the metal shell outer surface. This intermediary component reduces the electromagnetic shielding effect of the metal shell while maintaining its protective function, thereby improving antenna radiation power without compromising device durability.
3Volume of moving object
If the antenna is positioned close to the metal shell surface for compact design, then device size is reduced, but communication stability deteriorates due to interference from the metal shell
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna isolation structure serves as a mediator between the compactly positioned antenna and the metal shell, reducing electromagnetic interference while allowing the antenna to maintain its compact position near the shell surface, thus preserving both small device size and communication stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality improvement by adding the antenna isolation structure specifically in the region where electromagnetic interference is most severe, rather than uniformly modifying the entire metal shell. This localized approach maintains communication stability without increasing overall device size.
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 configuration ensures stable and reliable wireless communication performance by optimizing antenna coupling and radiation power across different modes, such as notebook and tablet modes, by adjusting the positions and sizes of the slots to maintain effective signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
the radiator radiates a signal through the first slot and the second slot, simultaneously
Implementation Method 2
the radiator and the first slot satisfy a coupling condition
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided in the present disclosure. The electronic device includes a first main body having a first metal shell and a second main body having a second metal shell, where the first metal shell has a first slot; and the second metal shell has a second slot; and further includes an antenna circuit disposed in the first metal shell, where the antenna circuit has a radiator; and the radiator and the first slot satisfy a coupling condition. In response to being in a first state, the radiator and the second slot satisfy the coupling condition, and the radiator radiates a signal through the first slot and the second slot, simultaneously; and in response to being in a second state, the first slot and the second slot do not satisfy the coupling condition, and the radiator radiates the signal through the first slot.