Loop Antenna Coils in Electronic Device Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

As electronic devices shrink and pack more functions, they face challenges in accommodating various antennas within a limited space, leading to performance degradation due to mutual interference between antennas like LTE, GPS, and Wi-Fi, and mechanical design restrictions that weaken mechanical rigidity.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a housing with strategically positioned first and second conductive coils forming magnetic fields perpendicular and parallel to the device's surfaces, respectively, along with shielding members to enhance radiation performance and prevent interference, while maintaining mechanical integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If various types of antennas are mounted within a limited space of the electronic device, then the functionality of the device is enhanced, but the transmission and reception performance of the antenna is deteriorated due to mutual interference

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidtransmission and reception performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a shielding structure specifically around the loop antenna area. The housing includes a first surface, second surface, and side member that enclose a specific space, with the loop antenna positioned inside this enclosed space. This localized shielding approach protects the loop antenna from interference by other antennas (such as LTE, GPS, and Wi-Fi antennas) without affecting the overall device functionality or preventing other antennas from being mounted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If the size of the electronic device is reduced, then the portability is improved, but the space for mounting the antenna is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidantenna mounting space
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently by positioning the loop antenna inside an enclosed space formed by the housing structures (first surface, second surface, and side member). This spatial arrangement allows the antenna to be integrated within the device volume without requiring additional external space, enabling small device size while maintaining adequate antenna mounting space and performance.

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

3Reliability

If shielding members are added to prevent interference, then the antenna performance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the shielding function into the existing housing structures (first surface, second surface, and side member) rather than adding separate dedicated shielding components. These housing elements serve dual purposes: providing structural support for the device and acting as shielding members to prevent interference between antennas. This multi-functional approach improves antenna performance without significantly increasing device complexity.

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 enhances the radiation performance of the loop antenna, prevents performance degradation from mutual antenna interference, and mitigates mechanical design restrictions, ensuring reliable MST functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a first conductive coil positioned inside the housing and configured to form a first magnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction or the second direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field formation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a second conductive coil spaced apart from the first conductive coil within the housing and configured to form a second magnetic field in a direction substantially parallel to the first direction or the second direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field formation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3613102B1Electronic device having loop antenna
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3613102B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3613102B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3613102B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device is provided The electronic device includes a housing including a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a side member configured to enclose at least some of a space between the first surface and the second surface, a first conductive coil positioned inside the housing and configured to form a first magnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction or the second direction, a second conductive coil spaced apart from the first conductive coil within the housing and configured to form a second magnetic field in a direction substantially parallel to the first direction or the second direction, a communication circuit positioned inside the housing and electrically connected to the first and second conductive coils, and a processor positioned inside the housing and electrically connected to the communication circuit.