Foldable Housing Antenna Switching to Avoid Folded-State Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

In foldable electronic devices, the proximity of antenna radiators when the device is folded leads to mutual interference, causing distortion of wireless signals and deterioration of antenna radiation performance.

Innovation Solution

The device employs a switching mechanism for the antenna groups based on its state, using a processor to recognize the folded or unfolded state and activate the appropriate antenna group to maintain optimal performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the housing is made of conductive material to serve as antenna radiator, then antenna radiation performance is improved, but mutual interference occurs when the device is folded causing signal distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna radiation performanceVSAvoidmutual interference between antenna radiators
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is divided into multiple independent antenna groups (first antenna group and second antenna group) located on different housing structures. This segmentation allows the system to avoid mutual interference by selecting which antenna group to activate based on the device's folded or unfolded state, thereby maintaining reliable antenna radiation performance without signal distortion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna system dynamically switches between different antenna groups based on the device's state (folded or unfolded). This dynamic adaptation ensures that the active antenna radiators are always positioned optimally to avoid mutual interference, maintaining consistent antenna radiation performance across different device configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antenna radiators are used to improve wireless communication, then communication capability is enhanced, but antenna performance deteriorates when radiators come close in folded state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoidantenna performance in folded state
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is divided into multiple independent antenna groups (first antenna group and second antenna group) located on different housing structures. This segmentation allows the system to avoid mutual interference by selecting which antenna group to activate based on the device's folded or unfolded state, thereby maintaining reliable antenna radiation performance without signal distortion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters by switching between different antenna groups based on the device's state. When folded, one antenna group is activated while the other is deactivated, and vice versa when unfolded. This parameter change ensures optimal antenna performance across different device configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the device structure allows folding to improve portability, then ease of operation is enhanced, but antenna radiation performance becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportability through foldingVSAvoidantenna radiation performance consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system dynamically switches between different antenna groups based on the device's state (folded or unfolded). This dynamic adaptation ensures that the active antenna radiators are always positioned optimally to avoid mutual interference, maintaining consistent antenna radiation performance across different device configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters by switching between different antenna groups based on the device's state. When folded, one antenna group is activated while the other is deactivated, and vice versa when unfolded. This parameter change ensures optimal antenna performance across different device configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3987506B1Foldable electronic device including antenna
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3987506B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3987506B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3987506B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An electronic device including an antenna is provided. The electronic device includes a housing including a first housing structure having a first side member, a second housing structure having a second side member, and a hinge structure connecting the first housing structure and the second housing structure to each other, and a transceiver electrically connected with the first side member and the second side member. The first side member includes a first conductive member, a second conducive member spaced apart from the first conductive member, and a first nonconductive member disposed between the first conductive member and the second conductive member, as a first antenna group, and a third conductive member disposed at an edge adjacent to the hinge structure of edges of the first side member to correspond to the first conductive member, a fourth conductive member facing the second conductive member and spaced apart from the third conductive member, and a second nonconductive member disposed between the third conductive member and the fourth conductive member as a second antenna group.