Patch Antenna Integration in Electronic Device Housing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Incorporating wireless components like antennas into electronic devices can lead to space consumption issues, unsatisfactory performance, and interference with control circuitry if not designed properly.
Innovation Solution
A patch antenna is integrated into an electronic device using a metal patch on a printed circuit board, coupled with a metal housing rear wall, and inductors are used to block radio-frequency signals from interfering with control circuitry, allowing efficient wireless communication while minimizing space and interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional antenna is incorporated into an electronic device, then wireless communication capability is achieved, but the device consumes more space and may exhibit unsatisfactory wireless performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the antenna structure with existing device components: the metal patch is integrated into the printed circuit board, and the metal housing rear wall serves as the ground plane. This combination eliminates the need for separate antenna components, achieving reliable wireless communication while minimizing space consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal housing rear wall serves dual purposes: it provides structural support for the device and simultaneously functions as the antenna ground plane. The printed circuit board also serves multiple functions including mounting components, providing electrical connections, and hosting the antenna patch. This multi-functionality reduces overall device volume while maintaining wireless performance.
2Volume of moving object
If an antenna is placed close to control circuitry to save space, then device volume is reduced, but the antenna may interfere with the operation of control circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces inductors as intermediary components in the signal paths between the antenna and control circuitry. These inductors act as filters that block radio-frequency signals from reaching the control circuitry, thereby preventing interference while allowing the antenna to be positioned close to other components to minimize device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal housing rear wall, which could potentially act as a shield blocking antenna signals, is instead utilized as the antenna ground plane. This converts a potential harmful effect (signal blocking) into a beneficial function (providing the necessary ground reference for antenna operation), enabling compact design without interference.
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
The solution enables effective wireless communication with external equipment while optimizing space usage and preventing signal interference, thus enhancing the performance and design of electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
Inductors may be interposed in signal paths between the control circuitry and the buttons to block radio-frequency signals from the radio-frequency transceiver circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may be provided with wireless circuitry that includes a radio-frequency transceiver circuit and an antenna. The antenna may be a patch antenna formed from a patch antenna resonating element and an antenna ground. The patch antenna resonating element may be formed from a metal patch on a printed circuit board. The antenna ground may be formed from a metal housing having a planar rear wall that lies in a plane parallel to the metal patch. The radio-frequency transceiver circuit may be coupled to the metal patch through traces on the printed circuit and may be coupled to rear wall of the housing through a screw and a screw boss in the housing. Buttons and other electrical components may be mounted on the printed circuit board and may be coupled to control circuitry on the printed circuit board through the metal patch.