NFC Antenna on Display Screen for Foldable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices face usability issues due to the hidden NFC recognition range when in a folded state, making it cumbersome for users to find and align the NFC surface with an external device for data exchange.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a loop-type antenna radiator using a conductive layer on the display, which allows for NFC recognition range placement on the screen, enabling data exchange and expanding the range of user experience by utilizing the antenna in various technologies like MST.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the NFC antenna is placed on the rear surface of the housing, then the antenna can be integrated into the device structure, but the NFC recognition range becomes hidden and inaccessible when the device is folded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the NFC antenna from the traditional rear surface (2D plane) to the display screen surface, utilizing the third dimension of the device structure. This allows the NFC recognition range to be accessible on the front surface while maintaining the folded device form factor, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and device shape.
2Length of moving object
If the device is made slimmer to pursue a thinner form factor, then the device becomes more compact and portable, but the space for traditional antenna structures is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a conductive layer formed on the display screen, which is a thin film structure. This allows the antenna to be integrated into the slim device profile without requiring bulky traditional antenna structures, thus achieving both thinness and functional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive layer on the display serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display's electrical component and the NFC antenna radiator. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate antenna structures, enabling the device to be thinner while maintaining antenna functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the NFC recognition range is placed on the screen, then the user can easily access and align it for data exchange, but the antenna structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The display's conductive layer is utilized dual-purpose: as the display's electrical component and as the NFC antenna radiator. This eliminates the need for separate antenna structures, achieving ease of NFC operation without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 solution enhances user experience by ensuring the NFC recognition range is accessible on the screen, simplifying data exchange and contributing to a slimmer device form factor while supporting multiple wireless communication technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless communication circuit electrically connected to the conductive layer, and configured to transmit and/or receive a signal through an antenna defined by at least a portion of the conductive layer surrounding the first opening
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include: a housing including a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface; a display at least partially accommodated in the housing and viewable through the first surface; a conductive layer disposed between the display and the second surface and including a first opening; a support disposed between the second surface and the conductive layer and including a conductive portion; and a wireless communication circuit electrically connected to the conductive layer, and configured to transmit and/or receive a signal through an antenna including at least a portion of the conductive layer surrounding the first opening.