Heatsink Fin Antenna Structure for Narrow-Bezel WLAN Coverage

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional antenna structures for laptops face challenges in occupying minimal space, enhancing coupling efficiency, and covering multiple frequency bands, particularly due to interference with cooling devices and limited installation space at the edges of narrow bezel screens.

Innovation Solution

The proposed antenna structure utilizes a heatsink with cooling fins and a feeding source, where the cooling fins act as a radiating body, and the feeding source is connected to the heatsink through direct or coupled feeding, allowing for efficient radiation across different frequency bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If antennas are placed on two adjacent sides of the laptop's cooling fan, then antenna installation is achieved, but larger clearance area is required and interference between antennas and cooling device occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna installationVSAvoidclearance area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the antenna structure with the heatsink by making the antenna radiating element an integral part of the heatsink fins. The antenna feed line is integrated into the heatsink structure, allowing the antenna to share the same space as the cooling device without requiring separate clearance areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heatsink structure serves dual functions: thermal management through heat dissipation and wireless communication through antenna radiation. The fins of the heatsink simultaneously act as heat transfer surfaces and antenna radiating elements, eliminating the need for separate antenna components and reducing overall space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If antennas are placed on two adjacent sides of the laptop's cooling fan, then antenna installation is achieved, but interference between antennas and the cooling device occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna installationVSAvoidsignal interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the antenna structure with the heatsink by making the antenna radiating element an integral part of the heatsink fins. The antenna feed line is integrated into the heatsink structure, allowing the antenna to share the same space as the cooling device without requiring separate clearance areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a grounding structure that acts as an intermediary between the antenna feed line and the heatsink body. This grounding structure provides a controlled impedance path and isolates the antenna from potential interference sources in the cooling device, ensuring signal integrity while maintaining physical integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If conventional antenna structures are used, then antenna function is achieved, but minimal space occupation and coupling efficiency enhancement cannot be realized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling efficiencyVSAvoidantenna size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the heatsink fins to achieve both effective heat dissipation and optimal antenna radiation characteristics. By adjusting fin dimensions, spacing, and arrangement, the antenna operates efficiently across multiple frequency bands while maintaining compact size. The feed line impedance and length are also optimized to maximize coupling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The heatsink structure serves dual functions: thermal management through heat dissipation and wireless communication through antenna radiation. The fins of the heatsink simultaneously act as heat transfer surfaces and antenna radiating elements, eliminating the need for separate antenna components and reducing overall space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces antenna size, improves coupling efficiency, and effectively covers the WLAN frequency bands, while also allowing for adjustable frequency bands and independent control of coupling effects by varying the fin interval.

Implementation Method 1

the cooling fins act as a radiating body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

heatsink includes a plurality of cooling fins

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

cooling fins are spaced apart from each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20250105500A1Antenna structure and electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 WISTRON NEWEB CORP

AI summary

An antenna structure includes a heatsink and a feeding source. The heatsink includes a plurality of cooling fins and a metal connecting portion. The cooling fins are spaced apart from each other and have a same fin length. The metal connecting portion is connected to one end of each of the cooling fins. The feeding source is disposed on one side of the cooling fins and is signally connected to the heatsink by one of a direct feed type and a coupled feed type.