PC NFC Antenna Integrated Into Metal Hinge Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of NFC antennas into personal computers (PCs) is challenging due to full-metal bodies and bezel-less, ultra-thin designs, which limit antenna placement and affect both performance and aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

An NFC antenna is constructed using a unique metal structure on the PC, incorporating a metal hinge, display component, and keyboard host, with connections between an inductor, capacitor, and NFC chip, ensuring reliability and improving appearance by utilizing a metal structure that includes a balanced metal link bar or wire wound coil design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If NFC antenna is placed on backpanel of display, then NFC performance is improved, but bezel-less screen and ultra-thin design are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNFC antenna performanceVSAvoidbezel-less screen and ultra-thin design
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the NFC antenna structure with the metal hinge assembly, combining two separate functional components (NFC antenna and hinge) into a unified structure. The NFC antenna is integrated within the metal hinge cover, allowing the antenna to utilize the metal hinge as its structural support while maintaining the bezel-less display design and ultra-thin profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The NFC antenna is nested within the metal hinge cover structure. The antenna is positioned inside the hinge cover, utilizing the existing metal hinge assembly as a housing and structural support, thereby eliminating the need for separate antenna mounting space on the display backpanel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Shape

If NFC antenna is integrated into full-metal body, then appearance effect is improved, but antenna design freedom is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveappearance effectVSAvoidantenna design freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the NFC antenna with the metal hinge assembly, allowing the antenna to be integrated into the full-metal body structure. The metal hinge cover serves as both the aesthetic exterior component and the structural support for the NFC antenna, maintaining appearance quality while enabling antenna functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The metal hinge assembly serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the display, maintains the full-metal appearance, and houses the NFC antenna. This multi-functional design allows the same component to fulfill aesthetic, structural, and communication requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If NFC antenna uses traditional placement, then antenna performance is ensured, but ID appearance effect of PC is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNFC antenna performanceVSAvoidID appearance effect
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the NFC antenna with the metal hinge assembly, combining aesthetic and functional requirements into a single integrated structure. The antenna is positioned within the hinge cover, making it invisible from the exterior while maintaining full NFC functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The metal hinge cover acts as an intermediary structure that houses the NFC antenna. It provides both the aesthetic appearance required for ID quality and the structural enclosure needed for antenna performance, mediating between appearance and functionality requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 ensures reliable NFC performance while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of PCs by effectively integrating the NFC antenna within the metal structure, addressing the limitations of previous designs that compromised both functionality and appearance.

Implementation Method 1

One end of the metal structure on the PC is connected to one end of the inductor... The NFC antenna is constructed by using a unique metal structure on the PC

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3869617B1NFC antenna and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3869617B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3869617B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3869617B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide an NFC antenna and an electronic apparatus. The NFC antenna includes a metal structure on a personal computer PC, an inductor, a capacitor, and an NFC chip. One end of the metal structure on the PC is connected to one end of the inductor. The other end of the inductor is connected to one port of the NFC chip and one end of the capacitor. The other end of the metal structure on the PC is connected to the other port of the NFC chip and the other end of the capacitor. Use of the embodiments of this application can ensure reliability of the NFC antenna, and improve appearance of the PC.