Side-Frame Antenna Layout for Bezel-Less Mobile Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

As mobile terminals increase in display size and decrease in bezel size, the distance between antennas and flexible display substrates affects wireless communication performance, leading to mutual interference and reduced antenna performance.

Innovation Solution

The mobile terminal design includes conductive members on side surfaces with specific length and connection configurations, ground lines, and switch mechanisms to optimize antenna performance while minimizing bezel size, ensuring efficient signal transmission and reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the display size is increased, then the display area is improved, but the bezel size is reduced causing antenna interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidantenna performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The side surface is divided into multiple conductive members (first conductive member, second conductive member, third conductive member) arranged at different positions. This segmentation allows each conductive member to function as an independent antenna element, maintaining antenna performance while accommodating the reduced bezel size caused by larger display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional front/bezel antenna placement to side surface antenna placement. By utilizing the side surface dimension of the terminal body, the invention provides additional space for antenna elements without compromising the front bezel area, thus resolving the conflict between large display area and antenna performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the bezel size is reduced, then the display area ratio is improved, but the distance between antennas and flexible display substrate is reduced causing interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay area ratioVSAvoidmutual interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention moves antenna elements from the front bezel area to the side surface of the terminal body. This dimensional relocation increases the spatial distance between the antenna elements and the flexible display substrate, reducing electromagnetic interference while maintaining a high display area ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a ground line structure that acts as an intermediary between the conductive members and the flexible display substrate. This ground line shields the antenna elements from interference caused by the flexible display substrate, enabling closer placement without performance degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antennas are added for various wireless communication methods, then communication functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless communication functionalityVSAvoidantenna arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive members on the side surface are designed to support multiple wireless communication functions (mobile communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.). By making the side surface antenna structure universal, the patent accommodates various communication methods without proportionally increasing structural complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple antenna elements (first, second, and third conductive members) into a unified side surface arrangement. This merging approach allows multiple antennas to share the same spatial region and structural support, reducing overall device complexity compared to distributed antenna placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3451636B1Mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3451636B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3451636B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP3451636B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A mobile terminal is provided that includes a metal frame including a base unit and a side unit, a main substrate located on a rear surface of the base unit, a display unit seated on a front surface of the base unit, and feed lines (231', 232') extending from the main substrate, connected to the side unit and supplying power to the side unit. The side unit includes a first conductive member including a first part and a second part, a second conductive member including a third part and a fourth part, a third conductive member located between the first and second conductive members, a first slit provided between the first and third conductive members and a second slit provided between the second and third conductive, and a length of the second part is two or more times a length of the first part.