Foldable Housing Antenna Switching for Radiation Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

In a folded state, the performance of antennas in electronic devices is degraded due to conductive members in the housing, leading to reduced radiation efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The use of a switch to adjust current flow around openings in the device, allowing independent resonance of the antenna and the opening, thereby enhancing radiation efficiency by electrically short-circuiting specific peripheries with the ground region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the electronic device is folded with reference to a hinge structure, then the device achieves a compact form factor, but antenna radiation performance is degraded due to conductive members in the housing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice form factorVSAvoidantenna radiation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing periphery is segmented into multiple conductive portions (first conductive portion, second conductive portion, third conductive portion) that can be independently controlled through switches. This segmentation allows different parts of the housing to have different electrical configurations, enabling the antenna to maintain performance in folded state while preserving the compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces switches that can dynamically change the electrical connection state of conductive portions based on the device's folding state. When the device is folded, the switches adjust the grounding connections of conductive members to prevent harmful current patterns, thereby adapting the antenna system to maintain performance across different device configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If conductive members are used in the housing structure, then structural integrity is maintained, but antenna radiation efficiency is reduced due to current flow interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing structural integrityVSAvoidantenna radiation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of conductive members (which create interfering current patterns) into a beneficial effect by using switches to control their electrical connection. The same conductive members that cause interference when uncontrolled are transformed into useful grounding elements when properly switched, thereby eliminating energy loss while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical parameters (conductivity, grounding connection) of the housing conductive members are dynamically changed through switches based on the device's operational state. This parameter change allows the conductive members to transition from a harmful state (creating interfering currents) to a beneficial state (providing proper grounding), thus resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and radiation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the antenna and opening resonate independently, then radiation efficiency is enhanced, but device complexity increases due to additional switching control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation efficiencyVSAvoidswitching control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switches in the patent serve multiple functions: they control the grounding connection of conductive members, enable independent resonance of the antenna and opening, and adapt to different device folding states. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving enhanced radiation efficiency through independent resonance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach effectively reduces the degradation of antenna radiation efficiency in a folded state, maintaining performance comparable to a flat state, and allows for independent resonance, enhancing overall radiation efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

control the switch to electrically short-circuit the third periphery and the ground region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical short-circuit: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

allowing independent resonance of the antenna and the opening, thereby enhancing radiation efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS20230395970A1Antenna and electronic apparatus including same

Publication Date: 2023.12.07 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic apparatus includes: a first housing; a second housing rotatably connected to the first housing; an opening formed along a third edge of the second housing; a switch located on a path that connects the opening and a ground region; and a wireless communication circuit. The first housing includes a first edge extending in a first direction and a second edge extending in a second direction. The second housing includes the third edge corresponding to the first edge and a fourth edge corresponding to the second edge when the first and second housings face each other. Parts of the first and second edge are made of a conductive material. When the first housing and the second housing face each other, the wireless communication circuit feeds power to the conductive material and controls the switch to electrically short-circuit the third edge and the ground region.