PCB Connecting Member Layout for Compact Antenna Grounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
As electronic devices become increasingly compact and integrated with multiple functions, there is a challenge in efficiently managing the electrical connections and antenna performance within limited space, particularly in wearable devices, which can lead to interference and reduced radiation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a housing with a battery, an antenna, and a printed circuit board featuring a first and second connecting member that overlap partially, with a dielectric material between them, allowing for efficient electrical connections and improved antenna performance by optimizing the layout and reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electronic device is made more compact to improve portability, then the device size and weight are reduced, but the ground area for the antenna is reduced and the ground path length is increased, leading to deteriorated antenna performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the third dimension (vertical stacking) to resolve the ground area limitation. By placing the battery directly beneath the antenna assembly and using the battery casing as a ground reference, the design creates a vertical ground path that bypasses the limited lateral ground area on the PCB. This dimensional transition allows compact horizontal footprint while maintaining adequate ground reference for antenna operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery serves as an intermediary element that provides both power and ground reference functions. The battery casing acts as a ground plane that electrically connects to the PCB ground, effectively using the battery structure as a mediator to extend the ground system without requiring additional dedicated ground area on the limited PCB surface.
2Reliability
If the ground path length is increased to provide adequate grounding, then the ground connection is improved, but the parasitic resonance is increased and antenna performance is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The ground path transitions from a lateral PCB trace to a vertical path through the battery connection. This vertical grounding path through the battery casing creates a more direct and shorter effective ground reference for the antenna, reducing the ground path length and minimizing parasitic resonance while maintaining reliable ground connection.
3Device complexity
If the ground area is reduced to accommodate other components, then the device integration is improved, but the antenna radiation efficiency is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The battery serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power supply, structural support, and ground reference for the antenna system. By making the battery casing electrically connected to the PCB ground, the same component that stores energy also serves as the ground plane, eliminating the need for separate ground structures and preserving radiation efficiency without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground system is merged with the battery structure. Instead of having a separate ground plane or ground trace system that would consume additional PCB area, the design combines the ground reference function with the existing battery component, using the battery casing as both a structural element and an electrical ground reference for the antenna.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes: a housing; a battery provided in the housing; an antenna; a printed circuit board including: a first surface facing the antenna; a second surface opposite to the first surface and facing the battery; a first region including a conductive pattern; and a second region including a dielectric material; a first connecting member provided on the first surface of the printed circuit board, the first connecting member electrically connecting the antenna and the printed circuit board; and a second connecting member provided on the second surface of the printed circuit board, the second connecting member electrically connecting the battery and the printed circuit board, wherein at least a portion of the second connecting member overlaps at least a portion of the first connecting member, and wherein the second region is at least partially between the first connecting member and the second connecting member.