NFC Chip Antenna Integration in Wearable Metal Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable electronic devices lack near field communication (NFC) functionality or require users to remove them to perform NFC operations due to NFC antennas being located at the back surface opposite to the display panel.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a loop antenna between the display panel and the main board of a wearable electronic device, connected to an NFC chip, which uses a metal frame and loop antenna to transmit and receive NFC signals, allowing NFC operations while the device is worn.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the NFC antenna is located at the back surface of the wearable electronic device, then the NFC communication can be performed, but the user must remove the device to access the antenna area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by moving the NFC antenna from the traditional back surface location to the front surface area between the display panel and main board. This spatial repositioning allows NFC communication to occur in the same dimension where user interaction happens, eliminating the need to remove the device for NFC operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the NFC antenna is integrated between the display panel and main board, then NFC communication is enabled while the device is worn, but the antenna occupies additional internal space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by integrating the NFC antenna within the existing layered structure between the display panel and main board. The antenna is embedded in the available space without requiring additional external volume, similar to placing one object inside another. This allows NFC functionality to be added while maintaining the compact wearable form factor.
3Ease of operation
If a loop antenna is used between the display panel and main board, then NFC communication is enabled in the front direction, but the antenna structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the loop antenna to serve dual purposes: it acts as both the NFC communication antenna and maintains structural integration within the device layers. The same antenna structure enables front-direction NFC communication while being incorporated into the existing device architecture, reducing the need for separate dedicated NFC components.
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 NFC communication with external devices in front of the display panel without the need to remove the device, enhancing user convenience and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a loop antenna between the display panel and the main board, the loop antenna configured to connect to the first and second terminals of the metal frame, and a near field communication (NFC) chip configured to connect to the metal frame and the loop antenna, the NFC chip configured to perform a near field communication by transmitting or receiving an NFC signal using the metal frame and the loop antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable electronic device according to example embodiments includes a display panel configured to display an image, a main board including a processor configured to control an operation of the wearable electronic device, a metal frame defining a perimeter of the wearable electronic device, the metal frame including a metal material, the metal frame having first and second terminals, the first terminal being adjacent to the second terminal with a slit therebetween, a loop antenna between the display panel and the main board, the loop antenna configured to connect to the first and second terminals of the metal frame, and a near field communication (NFC) chip configured to connect to the metal frame and the loop antenna, the NFC chip configured to perform a near field communication by transmitting or receiving an NFC signal using the metal frame and the loop antenna.