Metal Casing Antenna with Cutout and Insulated Conductor
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Solution Overview
Problem
In thinning radio communication devices, metal casings are used to enhance strength, but metalization shields the antenna, disrupting communication, and existing solutions that use slits in metal plates for magnetic coupling impair the device's appearance.
Innovation Solution
A metal casing with a cutout portion filled with a conductive member and an insulating thin film, allowing the metal casing to function as a magnetic field radiation element while maintaining strength and appearance, with the conductive member's color and material matching the casing to conceal the cutout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal casing is used to enhance device strength, then device strength is improved, but the antenna is shielded by the metal and communication is disabled
Solution Approach 1:
The metal casing is segmented by forming a cutout portion that penetrates through the casing in the thickness direction, extending from the outer edge portion toward the inner side. This segmentation creates a non-metallic pathway that allows magnetic flux to pass through, enabling the coil antenna to magnetically couple with the radiation plate without being completely shielded by the metal casing.
Solution Approach 2:
A conductive member with an insulating thin film is introduced as an intermediary element filled into the cutout portion. The insulating thin film allows magnetic flux to pass through while the conductive member maintains electrical continuity. This intermediary structure enables magnetic coupling between the coil antenna and radiation plate while preventing direct electrical contact that would cause short circuits.
2Reliability
If a slit is formed in the metal plate for magnetic coupling, then antenna communication is enabled, but the appearance is impaired due to exposure of the slit
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive member filled into the cutout portion acts as an intermediary that visually bridges the gap created by the cutout. When the color or material of the conductive member matches the metal casing, it becomes difficult to visually recognize the boundary of the cutout portion, thereby concealing the presence of the slit while maintaining the necessary magnetic coupling pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive member is designed with a color or material that matches the metal casing. This color matching makes it difficult to visually distinguish the cutout portion from the surrounding casing, effectively hiding the slit from visual inspection while allowing magnetic flux to pass through the insulating thin film of the conductive member.
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 the metal casing to serve as a magnetic field radiation element without compromising its strength or appearance, allowing for effective communication while utilizing existing design features like camera module openings.
Implementation Method 1
a coil antenna magnetically coupling with the metal casing by a magnetic flux passing through the cutout portion
Data Source
AI summary
A planar conductor including a cutout that penetrates in a thickness direction and extends from an outer edge portion toward an inner side, a coil antenna magnetically coupling with the planar conductor by a magnetic flux passing through the cutout, and a fit-in member filled into at least a portion of the cutout and including a metal oxide film provided on at least a side surface portion thereof which is in contact with the planar conductor, are included. Thus, an antenna device which does not impair appearance while maintaining strength by using a metal casing, and a communication apparatus including the antenna device, are provided.