Segmented Side-Frame Antenna for Sliding Flexible Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with deformable structures face challenges in efficiently accommodating antennas due to limited space and unstable electric connections, especially when the conductive side frames move during sliding operations, affecting reliability and frequency band compatibility.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves segmenting conductive side frames with non-conductive materials to form multiple conductive portions, which are electrically segmented and connected through connection terminals, ensuring stable connections and enabling operation across various frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conductive side frame is used as an antenna, then antenna functionality is achieved, but the electric connection becomes unstable during sliding operations
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive side frame is divided into multiple conductive portions by inserting nonconductive portions. This segmentation allows the antenna structure to maintain stable electric connections with the substrate while accommodating the sliding motion of the housing, as each segmented portion can independently maintain connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection terminals are introduced as intermediary elements between the conductive portions and the substrate. These terminals provide stable electrical connection points that remain reliably connected to the substrate even when the housing slides, thereby maintaining antenna functionality during deformation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple antennas are accommodated in a slimmer device, then device functionality is improved, but the available disposition space is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure utilizes the side surface of the housing in the third direction (perpendicular to the display surface) by forming multiple conductive portions along this dimension. This three-dimensional utilization of space allows multiple antennas to be accommodated without increasing the device's footprint area.
Solution Approach 2:
The side frame is segmented into multiple conductive portions that can function as separate antennas for different frequency bands. This segmentation enables multiple antenna functions to be integrated into a single structural element, maximizing space utilization.
3Reliability
If the conductive side frame is segmented by nonconductive materials, then stable electric connection is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nonconductive portions are integrated directly into the side frame structure, merging the antenna support function with the housing structure. This integration reduces the need for separate antenna components and simplifies the overall device architecture despite the segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented side frame structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the display, enables sliding motion, and functions as multiple antennas for different frequency bands. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include: a housing which is at least partially made of a conductive material, and has a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction opposite to the first surface, and at least one side surface surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface; a slide plate coupled to the housing so as to be slidable in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction; a flexible display which is disposed to be at least partially supported by the slidable plate; multiple conductive parts formed to be electrically segmented by at least one first non-conductive part formed on the at least one side surface along the third direction, and at least one second non-conductive part formed to cross over the first non-conductive part; a substrate disposed in the space; and a wireless communication circuit disposed on the substrate and configured to transmit and receive a wireless signal through the multiple conductive parts in at least one frequency band.