Foldable Housing Antenna Structure With Switchable Grounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotatable electronic devices face antenna performance deterioration due to overlapping metallic members, which hinders effective wireless communication and radiation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a first and second housing with conductive and non-conductive portions, a connecting member, and a switching circuit to manage antenna radiation by adjusting the conductive segments' connection to the ground member, ensuring optimal antenna performance even when the housings are folded or rotated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electronic device is designed as a rotatable-type with overlapping housings, then the device achieves compact form factor and design flexibility, but the antenna experiences deterioration in radiation performance due to metallic members in overlapping positions
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral sides of the housings are segmented into conductive portions and non-conductive portions. The first lateral side includes a first conductive portion and a first non-conductive portion, while the second lateral side includes a second conductive portion and a second non-conductive portion. This segmentation allows the antenna signal to pass through non-conductive portions without interference while maintaining structural integrity through conductive portions.
Solution Approach 2:
Non-conductive portions act as intermediary elements between the antenna and the external environment, allowing electromagnetic signals to pass through without being blocked or reflected by metallic members. These non-conductive portions are strategically positioned at locations where antenna radiation occurs, serving as mediators that enable signal transmission while the conductive portions provide structural support.
2Strength
If conductive portions are used in the lateral sides for structural integrity and shielding, then the device achieves mechanical strength and electromagnetic shielding, but the antenna radiation performance deteriorates due to blocking of electromagnetic waves
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the lateral sides are assigned different properties: conductive portions provide structural integrity and electromagnetic shielding where needed, while non-conductive portions allow electromagnetic wave transmission where antenna radiation occurs. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between needing shielding for structural purposes and needing open paths for antenna performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the switching circuit selectively connects the second conductive portion to the ground member, then the device can adjust antenna performance for different communication modes, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching circuit enables dynamic adjustment of the antenna configuration by selectively connecting the second conductive portion to the ground member based on communication requirements. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the same physical structure to serve multiple antenna functions, improving adaptability without requiring multiple fixed antenna structures.
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 maintains or enhances antenna radiation efficiency and communication performance by minimizing interference from overlapping conductive parts, allowing for effective wireless communication across various frequency bands.
Implementation Method 1
at least one switching circuit disposed in the second housing, wherein the at least one switching circuit is electrically connected between the second conductive portion and the ground member such that the second conductive portion can be selectively connected to the ground member
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electronic device that includes a first housing including a first side facing a first direction, a second side facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a first lateral side surrounding at least part of a space between the first side and the second side, wherein the first lateral side includes a first conductive portion and a first non-conductive portion; a second housing including a third side facing a third direction, a fourth side facing a fourth direction opposite to the third direction, a second lateral side surrounding at least part of a space between the third side and the fourth side and a ground member, wherein the second lateral side includes a second conductive portion and a second non-conductive portion; a flexible display disposed in the first housing and the second housing; a connecting member which connects the first housing and the second housing such that the first housing and the second housing are folded to face each other, wherein when the first housing and the second housing are folded, the first non-conductive portion and the second non-conductive portion abut against each other; at least one wireless communication circuit electrically connected to the first conductive portion; and at least one switching circuit disposed in the second housing, wherein the at least one switching circuit is electrically connected between the second conductive portion and the ground member such that the second conductive portion can be selectively connected to the ground member, and wherein the first lateral side forms at least a part of an exterior of the electronic device.