Key Button Antenna Structure for Metal-Housing Beam Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Next-generation wireless communication technologies face challenges with severe free space loss and reduced antenna gain due to the use of metal housings, which degrade design aesthetics and rigidity while limiting space for antenna disposition.
Innovation Solution
An antenna structure is integrated with a nonconductive key button assembly, allowing efficient disposition within metal-housed electronic devices, maintaining design aesthetics and reinforcing rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate antenna module is provided in addition to the touch sensor, then wireless communication function is achieved, but the number of parts increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna and touch sensor into a single integrated structure where the antenna is formed within the same layer or structure as the touch sensor electrode, eliminating the need for a separate antenna module and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensor electrode structure is designed to serve dual functions: both touch sensing and wireless communication antenna, allowing a single component to perform multiple functions and reducing the total number of parts needed
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate antenna module is provided in addition to the touch sensor, then wireless communication function is achieved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna and touch sensor are merged into a single manufacturing process and structure, allowing both components to be fabricated simultaneously in the same layer, which significantly simplifies assembly operations and reduces manufacturing complexity
3Reliability
If the antenna is positioned at the edge of the display, then antenna performance is improved, but the display area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna design transitions from traditional edge-positioned linear structures to multi-dimensional patterns including circular, rectangular, and grid configurations that can be embedded within the display area, allowing antenna functions to coexist with display functions in the same spatial region
Solution Approach 2:
The display panel is divided into different functional zones where specific areas are designated for antenna patterns while maintaining display functionality in other regions, allowing optimized antenna performance without sacrificing overall display area
4Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna is positioned at the edge of the display, then wireless communication is enabled, but the usable display area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel structure is designed to accommodate dual functionality where the same or overlapping regions serve both display and antenna purposes, eliminating the need to sacrifice display area for antenna placement and enabling wireless communication without reducing usable display area
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 solution enhances antenna performance by optimizing space utilization and maintaining design integrity, improving both aesthetics and structural rigidity without interference from other components.
Implementation Method 1
the antenna may be disposed in the same layer as the touch sensor or in a different layer from the touch sensor... the antenna and the display window may overlap with each other
Data Source
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AI summary
According to various embodiments, an electronic device may include a housing including at least one opening and made of a metal material, a key button assembly disposed in an inner space of the housing and disposed to be at least partially exposed to an outside through the at least one opening, a support frame disposed beneath the key button assembly in the inner space, an antenna structure fixed beneath the support frame and positioned to at least partially correspond to the at least one opening, the antenna structure including a substrate and at least one antenna element disposed on the substrate, and a wireless communication circuit disposed in the inner space and configured to form a directional beam in a designated frequency band toward the key button assembly through the at least one antenna element.