Grooved Metal Frame Housing for Integrated Antenna Radiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in electronic device design is to optimize antenna placement within increasingly smaller internal spaces while maintaining functionality and aesthetics, as devices become thinner and smaller.

Innovation Solution

A housing assembly with a metal frame that includes a bezel portion and a carrying portion, featuring grooves that form an antenna radiator, allowing for efficient RF signal transmission without the need for a separate antenna, thus saving internal space and maintaining a seamless device appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate antenna is installed in the electronic device, then RF signal transmission function is improved, but device internal space is reduced and structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRF signal transmission functionVSAvoidantenna structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the antenna function with the existing metal frame structure. The metal arm of the frame is designed to form an antenna radiator, combining structural support and RF signal transmission functions into a single component, thereby eliminating the need for a separate antenna and reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The metal frame is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, forms the device housing, and simultaneously acts as an antenna radiator for RF signal transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If device size is reduced to meet miniaturization requirements, then portability is improved, but antenna placement space becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice internal spaceVSAvoidantenna function
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna function is merged with the metal frame structure, allowing the antenna radiator to be formed within the existing frame geometry. This eliminates the need for additional antenna space and enables miniaturization without compromising antenna functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the thickness dimension of the metal frame to accommodate the antenna radiator. By designing grooves and recesses in the frame structure, the antenna function is integrated into the three-dimensional space of the existing frame, maximizing space utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If metal frame structure is added for antenna function, then RF signal transmission is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna radiation performanceVSAvoidframe structure fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna radiator is formed as an integral part of the metal frame structure through grooves and recesses. This merging of functions allows the frame to be manufactured as a single piece or pre-assembled unit, reducing the number of additional manufacturing steps required for separate antenna installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design effectively utilizes the metal frame to create an antenna radiator within the device's housing, enabling efficient RF signal transmission while conserving space and maintaining the device's aesthetic integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The metal arm is configured to form an antenna radiator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4012838B1Housing assembly and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP4012838B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4012838B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4012838B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a housing assembly and electronic device. The housing assembly may include a main body including side edge, and a metal frame including a bezel portion and a carrying portion. The bezel portion can be connected to the side edge and may cooperatively define an accommodating portion with the main body. A first groove being defined between the carrying portion and the bezel portion, a second groove being defined between the carrying portion and the main body, the first groove being connected to the second groove to form a metal arm on the carrying portion, the metal arm being configured to form an antenna radiator.