Reconfigurable Antenna Switching Module for Terminal Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terminal designs face challenges in optimizing antenna performance due to limited empty space, which affects wireless communication efficiency, and struggle to cover multiple frequency bands without interference from other components.

Innovation Solution

A terminal housing with a reconfigurable antenna design that includes a bottom metal bezel with slits, a main board unit with a switching module, and an antenna unit with multiple branches, allowing the switching module to control the formation of either a dual PIFA or PIFA composite dual LOOP antenna architecture, thereby expanding the radiation frequency band and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional antenna design is used in limited terminal space, then the antenna structure is simple, but the radiation frequency bandwidth is limited and communication performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation frequency bandwidthVSAvoidantenna structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a reconfigurable antenna system where the antenna structure can dynamically change its configuration between PIFA and LOOP modes through a switching module. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the antenna to adapt to different frequency bands (e.g., 700MHz, 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 2600MHz) without requiring multiple fixed antenna structures, thereby resolving the contradiction between bandwidth adaptability and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs a single antenna structure that can perform multiple functions by switching between PIFA and LOOP configurations. The same physical antenna elements (horizontal bezel, first branch, second branch, third branch, fourth branch) can serve different radiation purposes across multiple frequency bands, eliminating the need for separate antennas for each frequency band and reducing overall device complexity while enhancing versatility.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antennas are used to cover different frequency bands, then the radiation frequency bandwidth is improved, but the terminal space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band coverageVSAvoidterminal empty space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple antenna functions into a single reconfigurable antenna system. By combining the PIFA and LOOP antenna capabilities in one structure that can switch between configurations, the patent achieves multi-frequency band coverage without requiring separate physical antennas for each band, thereby maintaining frequency band coverage while minimizing the use of terminal empty space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic switching capability allows one physical antenna structure to assume different electrical configurations for different frequency bands. The switching module enables the antenna to transform between PIFA and LOOP modes, allowing a single antenna to replace what would traditionally require multiple fixed antennas, thus saving terminal space while maintaining comprehensive frequency band coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If antenna components are placed close to other terminal components, then the terminal structure is compact, but antenna performance deteriorates due to interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal integration efficiencyVSAvoidantenna radiation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the antenna structure into distinct functional branches (first branch, second branch, third branch, fourth branch) that can be independently controlled through the switching module. This segmentation allows selective activation of different antenna paths depending on the required frequency band, enabling the antenna to maintain optimal radiation performance even when integrated closely with other terminal components by activating only the necessary antenna segments for each communication scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3576224B1Terminal housing, terminal and method of manufacturing terminal
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3576224B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3576224B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3576224B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention provides a terminal housing, a terminal and a method of manufacturing a terminal, and pertains to the field of electronic technology. The main board unit in the terminal housing includes a power supply module, a switching module, a first grounding area, a second grounding area and a third grounding area; the antenna unit includes a horizontal bezel, a first branch, a second branch, a third branch and a fourth branch; the power supply module is connected to the horizontal bezel through the first branch; the first end of the switching module is connected to the contact area of the second branch, the third branch, and the fourth branch, the second end of the switching module is connected to the third grounding area, and the switching module is configured to control the first end to be connected to or disconnected from the second end.