Foldable Housing Frame Antenna Layout for Folded-State Signal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices experience performance degradation of their antennas when in a folded state due to the proximity of metallic side surfaces, which affects communication efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a foldable housing with conductive and non-conductive portions, including low-permittivity materials and protruding portions, to maintain antenna performance by spacing conductive surfaces apart, ensuring effective communication even in the folded state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the housing is made of metallic material and folded, then the structural integrity and compactness are improved, but the antenna performance degrades due to proximity of conductive surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into conductive portions and non-conductive portions. The non-conductive portions are strategically placed to segment the continuous conductive path, preventing harmful electromagnetic coupling between adjacent conductive surfaces when the device is folded.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the housing have different electrical properties - some areas are conductive (for structural integrity and antenna function) while others are non-conductive (to prevent interference). This local differentiation allows the housing to simultaneously provide mechanical strength and electromagnetic isolation where needed.
2Volume of moving object
If conductive surfaces are placed close together in folded state, then the device achieves compact form factor, but signal interference increases and communication efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Non-conductive portions act as intermediary elements between conductive surfaces. These intermediary materials electrically isolate adjacent conductive surfaces while maintaining the compact folded structure, preventing signal interference without sacrificing device portability.
3Reliability
If non-conductive portions are added to the housing, then antenna performance is maintained, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The non-conductive portions are integrated into the housing structure itself rather than being separate components. This merging of insulating elements into the housing design allows for simultaneous formation of conductive and non-conductive regions, reducing assembly steps and manufacturing complexity.
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 solution maintains antenna performance comparable to the flat state, reducing signal interference and ensuring reliable communication functions while the device is folded.
Implementation Method 1
The non-conductive portion may include a low-permittivity material, and the specific permittivity of the low-permittivity material may be less than 10
Data Source
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AI summary
Various embodiments relate to an electronic device including an antenna. The electronic device may include: a foldable housing; a flexible display disposed on the foldable housing wherein at least a part of the flexible display is configured to be folded; and a frame disposed on a boundary portion of the flexible display and coupled to a side member of the foldable housing. The side member may include a conductive portion electrically connected to a communication circuit, and the frame may include a low-permittivity material.