Foldable Electronic Device Antenna Using Capacitive Coupling Against Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face degradation in antenna radiation performance due to conductive members shielding the antennas when in the out-folded state, where the device's display is exposed, affecting communication efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a conductive pattern in one housing and a conductor in the opposite housing, capacitively coupled through conductive pads, allows the antenna to maintain or enhance radiation performance even in the folded state by using both patterns as radiators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the device is in the out-folded state with display exposed, then the display is accessible and usable, but the antenna radiation performance is degraded due to shielding from conductive members
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into multiple independent conductive members (first conductive member, second conductive member, third conductive member) positioned at different locations within the housing. Each conductive member can independently contribute to radiation, allowing the system to maintain performance despite the presence of shielding conductive structures when the device is out-folded.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple conductive members are combined to form a unified antenna system where their radiation patterns complement each other. The conductive members are electrically connected to the same feed network, merging their individual radiation contributions into a collective radiation pattern that maintains effectiveness even when some portions are shielded by the display assembly.
2Strength
If conductive members are added to the device structure, then structural integrity and display support are improved, but antenna radiation performance is degraded due to shielding effects
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of treating the conductive members as harmful shielding elements to be avoided, the invention inverts the approach by utilizing multiple conductive members as beneficial antenna radiators. The same conductive structures that could shield the antenna are repurposed to enhance radiation, effectively converting the harmful shielding effect into a useful radiation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive members that create shielding effects are converted into beneficial antenna elements. By strategically positioning and configuring these conductive members as radiators, the system transforms the potential harm of electromagnetic shielding into the benefit of enhanced radiation capability, allowing the antenna to effectively penetrate through the display assembly when out-folded.
3Volume of moving object
If the antenna is positioned closer to the display assembly, then space utilization is improved, but radiation performance is degraded due to proximity to conductive structures
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the housing are assigned different functions: some regions contain conductive members optimized for radiation in specific directions, while other regions provide structural support. The antenna system exhibits local quality variations where certain conductive members are optimized for front-facing radiation when out-folded, while others provide structural integrity without compromising radiation performance.
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
The antenna radiation performance in the folded state is maintained or improved by utilizing the conductive pattern and conductor combination, ensuring effective communication across the desired frequency bands.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one conductor's conductive pad is capacitively coupled to the at least one conductive pattern when the electronic device is in the folded state
Data Source
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AI summary
In an embodiment, an electronic device may include a housing including a hinge module, a first housing, and second housing. The first and second housings are rotatably coupled to each other via the hinge module to be in a folded state or an unfolded state. The electronic device may further include at least one conductive pattern disposed in the first housing; at least one conductor's conductive pad, electrically connected to a corresponding at least one conductor disposed at a first position in the second housing corresponding to the at least one conductive pattern such that the at least one conductor's conductive pad is capacitively coupled to the at least one conductive pattern when the electronic device is in the folded state; and a wireless communication circuit electrically connected to the at least one conductive pattern in the first housing, wherein when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, the at least one conductor's conductive pad is disconnected from the at least one conductive pattern such that the at least one conductor's conductive pad is disconnected from the wireless communication circuit.