Gap Antenna in Portable Terminal Metal Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional antennas in portable terminals face challenges in being thinner and are prone to short-circuiting when the user holds the device, leading to signal deterioration.

Innovation Solution

A portable terminal design featuring a metal frame body with strategically placed gaps covered by an insulating second frame body, creating a gap antenna that reduces thickness and prevents short-circuiting while maintaining signal quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If conventional antenna is used in metal frame, then antenna thickness can be reduced, but the antenna is prone to short-circuiting when user holds the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna thicknessVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The metal frame is segmented by introducing gaps at specific locations to form a gap antenna structure. The frame is divided into multiple sections separated by insulating gaps, which prevents short-circuiting while maintaining the metallic frame's aesthetic and structural properties. This segmentation allows the antenna to function reliably without requiring additional separate antenna components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Insulating materials are introduced as intermediary elements at the gap locations within the metal frame. These insulating gaps act as mediators that electrically isolate different portions of the conductive metal frame, preventing short-circuits when the device is held, while still allowing the overall structure to function as an effective antenna.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If metal frame is used as antenna, then design can be thinner and smaller, but gaps in metal frame cause short-circuiting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal sizeVSAvoidshort-circuit risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The metal frame is designed with non-uniform local properties by introducing gaps at specific strategic locations rather than uniformly throughout. The gaps are placed at areas where they most effectively prevent short-circuiting while minimizing impact on the overall antenna performance and maintaining the compact form factor of the terminal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna structure combines conductive metal frame material with insulating gap materials to create a composite structure. This composite design allows simultaneous achievement of electrical isolation (preventing short-circuits) and effective electromagnetic radiation (antenna function), while maintaining a compact and thin terminal design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 design achieves a thinner, smaller form factor while preventing short-circuiting and significantly improving signal quality by hiding the metal frame antenna gaps.

Implementation Method 1

the first partial area with a gap being set forms a gap antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

material of the second frame body is insulating material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS9337529B2Portable terminal
Publication Date: 2016.05.10 LENOVO SOFTWARE

AI summary

A portable terminal is described where the portable terminal includes a first frame body and a second frame body. The first frame body is used for an antenna unit of the portable terminal and a gap is set in a first partial area of the first frame body with the first partial area with a gap being set is covered by the second frame body.