Wearable Metal Frame Antenna Structure With Waterproof Sealing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to achieve metal integration on a wearable product's housing while maintaining good antenna performance and waterproofing, as metal parts segmented by insulating materials hinder both metal integration and signal quality.

Innovation Solution

A wearable product design incorporating a hollow metal frame and plastic frame structure, where the plastic frame is connected to the display module and rear housing in a sealing manner, forming a waterproof cavity, and the metal frame is used as an antenna radiator with increased clearance for better signal transmission, while the plastic frame reduces water vapor ingress and provides a lighter weight design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal parts are segmented by insulating materials to improve antenna signal quality, then antenna performance is improved, but metal integration of the appearance cannot be implemented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna signal qualityVSAvoidmetal integration appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The metal frame is segmented into multiple sections with insulating material layers inserted between them. This segmentation allows the metal frame to function as an antenna radiator while preventing signal interference, achieving both metal integration appearance and antenna performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Insulating material layers are introduced as intermediary elements between metal frame sections. These layers serve dual purposes: maintaining the visual continuity of metal integration while electrically isolating metal sections to improve antenna signal quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If a hollow metal frame structure is used to achieve metal integration appearance, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but the weight of the product increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetal integration appearanceVSAvoidproduct weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure uses different materials for different functional regions: metal sections provide aesthetic appeal and antenna radiation, while plastic sections provide insulation and weight reduction. This local differentiation achieves metal integration appearance without excessive weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The frame is constructed as a composite structure combining metal and plastic materials. The metal portions provide the desired aesthetic appearance and antenna functionality, while the plastic portions reduce overall weight and provide electrical insulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the metal frame is separated from inner metal components to increase antenna clearance, then antenna performance is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna performanceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating material layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it increases antenna clearance to improve antenna performance, provides electrical insulation between metal components, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design enhances waterproof performance, improves antenna signal transmission, and meets the requirement for metal integration while reducing the product's weight, ensuring effective signal transmission and aesthetic appeal.

Implementation Method 1

the metal frame is used as an antenna radiator with increased clearance for better signal transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the plastic frame reduces water vapor ingress

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3944028B1Wearable product
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3944028B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3944028B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3
  • EP3944028B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5a

AI summary

A wearable product (01) includes a display module (10), a rear housing (11), a middle frame (12), a printed circuit board (13), and a conductive component (50). The rear housing (11) is located on a non-light-emitting side of the display module (10). The middle frame (12) is located between the display module (10) and the rear housing (11), and is a hollow frame structure. The middle frame (12) includes a metal frame (120) and a plastic frame (121) nested in the metal frame (120) and connected to the metal frame (120). The plastic frame (121) is connected to the display module (10) and the rear housing (11) in a sealing manner to form a closed accommodation cavity (100). The printed circuit board (13) is located in the accommodation cavity (100). A part of the conductive component (50) is located in the accommodation cavity (100) and electrically connected to the printed circuit board (13), and the other part of the conductive component (50) passes through the plastic frame (121) to be electrically connected to the metal frame (120), to resolve a problem that metal integration cannot be implemented on a housing of the wearable product (01).