Metal Back Cover With Segmented Slots For Wireless Power And Antenna
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designs for mobile communication devices with metal back covers face challenges in integrating wireless power transfer, cellular, WiFi, and GPS communications due to the robustness and antenna design limitations imposed by separate, electrically isolated metallic portions.
Innovation Solution
A metallic back cover with strategically placed slots and a conductor forming a coupler that allows for wireless power reception and communication antenna functionality, reducing eddy currents and enhancing inductance while supporting multiple communication protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate electrically isolated metallic portions are used in the back cover, then antenna design is simplified, but wireless power transfer efficiency deteriorates due to eddy currents
Solution Approach 1:
The back cover is divided into separate electrically isolated metallic portions through non-conductive material insertion, which segments the continuous metal structure to reduce eddy currents while maintaining antenna functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Non-conductive material is inserted between metallic portions to act as an intermediary that electrically isolates the metal segments, reducing eddy current losses while allowing the structure to maintain mechanical integrity and support antenna elements
2Strength
If a single-piece metal back cover is used, then robustness is improved, but antenna design flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single-piece metal back cover is segmented into multiple electrically isolated metallic portions through the insertion of non-conductive material, enabling independent antenna element design while maintaining the overall structural robustness of the back cover assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The back cover assembly combines metal portions with non-conductive material to create a composite structure that maintains mechanical strength and robustness while enabling electromagnetic isolation for flexible antenna design
3Strength
If metal back cover is used, then device robustness is improved, but wireless power reception deteriorates due to eddy currents
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous metal back cover is segmented into separate electrically isolated portions, which reduces eddy current formation during wireless power transfer while maintaining the structural robustness and protective function of the metal cover
Solution Approach 2:
Non-conductive material serves as an intermediary inserted between metallic portions to electrically isolate them, reducing eddy current losses during wireless power reception while allowing the metal cover to maintain its mechanical strength and protective properties
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
Enables seamless integration of wireless power transfer and communication antennas within a single-piece metal back cover, improving robustness and efficiency across various frequency bands for LTE, WCDMA, GSM, WiFi, and GPS protocols.
Implementation Method 1
The metallic cover and the conductor form a coupler configured to wirelessly receive power sufficient to charge or power a load of the apparatus from a wireless power transmitter
Implementation Method 2
wirelessly receiving communications data via an antenna comprising at least a portion of the metallic cover and at least a portion of the conductor
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatus and methods for seamless metal back cover for combined wireless power transfer, cellular, WiFi, and GPS communications are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for wirelessly coupling with other devices comprises a metallic cover comprising a first metallic portion separated by a first non-conductive portion from a second metallic portion of the metallic portion to define a first slot. The apparatus further comprises a conductor comprising a first end portion electrically coupled to the metallic cover at the first metallic portion and a second end portion crossing the first end portion and electrically coupled to the metallic cover at the second metallic portion. The metallic cover and the conductor form a coupler configured to wirelessly receive power sufficient to charge or power a load of the apparatus from a wireless power transmitter.