Microphone Grill Antenna Layout for Compact Wearable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices face challenges in reducing weight and miniaturization while maintaining effective antenna performance within a narrow inner space, requiring a solution to secure sufficient electrical length for communication.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a microphone grill with a conductive portion and a conductive pattern connected to the grill's support, which functions as an antenna element, to extend the electrical length and improve antenna performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the wearable device is miniaturized to reduce weight, then the device size is reduced, but the available space for antenna becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The microphone grill structure is designed to serve dual purposes: it functions as both a microphone component for audio input and as an antenna element for wireless communication. The conductive portion of the grill and the conductive pattern on the inner surface work together as antenna elements, allowing the same structural component to fulfill multiple functions and eliminate the need for separate antenna space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the microphone grill structure with the antenna system by electrically connecting the conductive portion of the grill to the conductive pattern on the inner surface. This merging of functions allows the antenna elements to be integrated within the existing microphone assembly, maximizing space utilization in the miniaturized wearable device.
2Reliability
If the antenna electrical length is increased to improve communication performance, then the antenna performance is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive pattern is disposed on the inner surface of the housing, utilizing the three-dimensional internal space of the wearable device. By extending the antenna elements along the inner surface rather than requiring additional external space, the design achieves sufficient electrical length for resonance frequencies while maintaining a compact overall device size.
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 antenna performance by increasing the radiation extent, securing the electrical length needed for resonance frequencies and reducing noise interference, while also allowing for efficient use of internal space and reduced material costs.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive pattern connected to the conductive portion and disposed on a portion of an inner surface of the housing... configured to communicate with an external electronic device through the conductive pattern and the conductive portion
Implementation Method 2
a first microphone, in the housing, configured to obtain a second audio signal distinct from the first audio signal and conducted through the first opening, a first grill surrounding the first opening
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device according to an embodiment may comprise: a housing including a first surface facing a first direction in which a first audio signal is configured to be transmitted to the outside of the wearable device, and a second surface including a first opening that connects an inner space to the outside and faces a second direction different from the first direction; a first microphone in the housing, configured to obtain a second audio signal distinguished from the first audio signal and introduced through the first opening; a first grill surrounding the first opening and including a conductive portion; and a conductive pattern connected to the conductive portion and arranged in a portion of the inner surface of the housing.