Segmented Metal Housing Antenna for Slim Multi-Band Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to maintain effective antenna radiation performance in compact electronic devices with metal casings, where the reduced thickness and mounting space for antennas lead to performance degradation due to scattering, electromagnetic field trapping, and mismatching effects, making it difficult to achieve sufficient antenna performance while maintaining a slim and rigid design.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves segmenting the housing of the electronic device into multiple conductive and non-conductive members with strategically placed cut-off portions, which act as capacitors to adjust resonant frequencies and enhance antenna performance by varying the locations and number of cut-off portions, allowing for multi-band operation and improved signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the thickness of electronic device is reduced to make it slimmer, then the device becomes more compact and appealing to consumers, but the mounting space for antenna radiator decreases and antenna radiation performance is significantly degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple conductive members (first conductive member, second conductive member, third conductive member) separated by non-conductive members. This segmentation allows each conductive member to function as a separate antenna element, enabling effective antenna operation in a reduced thickness while avoiding the harmful effects of continuous metal housing on antenna performance.
2Strength
If metal components are used to increase rigidity and achieve high quality external appearance, then the device becomes more rigid and visually appealing, but antenna radiation performance is significantly deteriorated by scattering effect, electromagnetic field trapping effect, and mismatching
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous metal housing is segmented into separate conductive members by non-conductive members. This segmentation prevents the metal housing from acting as a continuous reflector that causes scattering and electromagnetic field trapping, while still maintaining the rigid metal construction and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
Non-conductive members are introduced as intermediary elements between the conductive members. These non-conductive members break the continuity of the metal housing, preventing harmful electromagnetic interactions while allowing the metal components to maintain structural rigidity and visual appeal.
3Reliability
If separation distance between antenna radiator and metal components is increased to prevent performance degradation, then antenna performance is improved, but the thickness of electronic device increases and mounting space is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into conductive and non-conductive members arranged in an alternating pattern. This segmentation allows the antenna radiator to be positioned close to the housing structure without requiring large separation distances, as the non-conductive members naturally provide electromagnetic isolation while occupying minimal space.
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 approach enables efficient antenna performance in compact devices by effectively compensating for the reduced antenna length and maintaining a slim design, while ensuring robust signal transmission across various frequency bands.
Implementation Method 1
strategically placed cut-off portions, which act as capacitors to adjust resonant frequencies
Implementation Method 2
act as capacitors to adjust resonant frequencies and enhance antenna performance
Implementation Method 3
segmenting the housing of the electronic device into multiple conductive and non-conductive members with strategically placed cut-off portions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display; a housing including a side surface that surrounds at least a part of the display; a first conductive member configured to form a first portion of the side surface and to extend along the side surface, wherein the first conductive member includes a first end portion and a second end portion; a first non-conductive member configured to form a second portion of the side surface and to contact the first end portion or the second end portion of the first conductive member; at least one communication circuit electrically connected to a first point of the first conductive member; at least one ground member disposed inside the housing and electrically connected to a second point of the first conductive member, wherein the at least one ground member is spaced apart from the first point of the first conductive member; and a coupling member connected to a part of the housing and configured to be attachable to, and detachable from, a part of a user's body.