PCB-to-Housing Conductive Structure for Corrosion-Resistant Antennas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Metal materials used in electronic device casings, such as aluminum, magnesium, and titanium, are prone to galvanic corrosion when in contact with gold or other corrosion-resistant materials, leading to antenna performance deterioration and abnormal device operation due to fretting corrosion from vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A thin connection structure between a printed circuit board and a conductive member operating as a radiator, with protrusions on the conductive body for press-fitting and adhesive sealing, enhances connection reliability and design freedom for antenna structures, particularly between metal and non-metal interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a metal material is used for the exterior case to reduce weight and improve aesthetics, then the device becomes lighter and more attractive, but galvanic corrosion occurs when the metal surface contacts gold or corrosion-resistant contact terminals
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive adhesive layer is introduced as an intermediary between the metal exterior case and the gold contact terminal. This adhesive layer prevents direct contact between dissimilar metals, eliminating galvanic corrosion while maintaining electrical conductivity and mechanical bonding.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection structure uses a composite approach by combining metal case material with a specially formulated conductive adhesive. This composite interface provides both mechanical strength and electrical conductivity while preventing corrosion through material incompatibility between the adhesive and metal surfaces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a metal material with strong corrosion resistance is used for the exterior case, then corrosion resistance is improved, but fretting corrosion occurs due to repeated scratching from galvanic corrosion or vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive adhesive serves as a protective intermediary layer that prevents direct mechanical and electrochemical interaction between the metal case and contact terminal. This eliminates the fretting corrosion mechanism caused by repeated scratching, even under vibration conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer is applied in advance to create a protective buffer between the metal surfaces. This pre-established protective layer prevents corrosion before it can occur during device operation, vibrations, or assembly processes.
3Length of stationary object
If a thin connection structure is used between the printed circuit board and conductive member to make the device thinner, then device thickness is reduced, but connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive adhesive merges the electrical connection and mechanical bonding functions into a single integrated layer. This eliminates the need for separate thick connection structures while maintaining both electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, enabling thinner device design without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive's material parameters (viscosity, conductivity, cure characteristics) are optimized to achieve strong bonding and reliable electrical connection in a thin layer configuration. By controlling film thickness and material properties, reliable connections are achieved at reduced thickness.
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 enables electronic devices to be lightweight, thin, and small while ensuring reliable antenna performance by expanding the contact area and using conductive adhesives for secure connections, mitigating corrosion issues.
Implementation Method 1
a press-fitted conductive body which is sealed by using an adhesive including conductive materials
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes an electronic device including a housing including a front plate, a rear plate, and a member surrounding at least part of a space between the front plate and the rear plate and operating as an antenna radiator by being formed of a metal material at least in part, a support member including a first face and a second face, disposed between a display and the rear plate, supporting the display on the first face, and bonded to part of the side member, a printed circuit board, a housing groove formed on a first portion of the member, a conductive body bonded to the housing groove through a press-fit process, and a connection terminal disposed on the printed circuit board and electrically coupling the press-fitted conductive body to the printed circuit board.