Electronic device

According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing, an antenna, and a sheet metal member. The antenna is contained in the housing with a gap formed between the antenna and the housing. The sheet metal member is supporting the antenna to be thermally connected with the antenna.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-167934, filed Aug. 27, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic device comprising an antenna.

BACKGROUND

An electronic device comprising an antenna inside a housing is well known. The antenna is in contact with an inner surface of the housing.

When heat is generated at the antenna during operations, the heat of the antenna is directly transferred to the housing and a surface of the housing may be locally heated at a high temperature. If a heat radiating member is additionally provided to suppress the rise in temperature on the local surface of the housing, space for containing the heat radiating member needs to be secured in the housing. Therefore, the mounting space is increased and space in the housing is reduced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing, an antenna, and a sheet metal member. The antenna is contained in the housing with a gap formed between the antenna and the housing. The sheet metal member is supporting the antenna to be thermally connected with the antenna.

An electronic device of a first embodiment will be explained hereinafter with reference toFIG. 1toFIG. 8. In the present embodiment, a tablet PC will be explained as an example of the electronic device. The electronic device is not limited to the tablet PC, but may be the other electronic device such as a television receiver or a digital signage.

As shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 4, an electronic device1comprises a housing2, and a display panel3and an antenna4which are contained in the housing2.

The display panel3is shaped in a rectangular flat plate, and comprises a display surface3A on which information such as a character and an image is displayed and a back surface3B located on a side opposite to the display surface3A.

The antenna4is arranged in close vicinity to an edge portion of the display panel3. The antenna4used to, for example, high-speed transmission standards such as WiGig and WirelessHD, and the antenna itself generates heat during the operation. The temperature of the antenna4of the present embodiment is often raised to, for example, 80° C. and the generated heat amount is larger than that of a conventional antenna.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the housing2is formed in a shape of a rectangular flat box, and contains the display panel3and the antenna4. The housing2comprises a front wall16, a back wall17, and a peripheral wall18.

The front wall16extends on substantially the same plane as the display surface3A. An outer surface of the front wall16is an example of a first surface2A of the housing2. The front wall16includes a rectangular opening portion16A which exposes the display surface3A of the display panel3. The back wall17extends parallel to the front wall16. An outer surface of the back wall17is an example of a second surface2B of the housing2. The peripheral wall18connects an edge portion of the front wall16and an edge portion of the back wall17.

In the example shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the housing2is composed of a combination of a mask21and a cover22. The mask21includes the front wall16while the cover22includes the back wall17.

The cover22comprises an antenna cover24and a cover body25. The antenna cover24is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin material. The antenna cover24is provided at a position opposed to the antenna4.

The cover body25is a portion of the cover22excluding the antenna cover24. The cover body25is formed of, for example, a magnesium alloy. The material of the cover body25is not limited to a magnesium alloy, but the cover body25may also be formed of, for example, a synthetic resin material. In this case, the antenna cover24and the cover body25can be formed as an integrated structure.

It should be noted that the electronic device1may further comprise a transparent glass panel27. The glass panel27shown inFIG. 1seals the opening portion16A of the mask21and protects the display surface3A of the display panel3.

FIG. 3is a plan view showing an inside of the electronic device1with the cover22removed. Besides the display panel3and the antenna4, the housing2contains a middle frame28which covers the back surface3B of the display panel3, a sheet metal member30fixed to the middle frame28, a wireless module32, a plurality of chip sets33, a battery pack, etc.

The chip sets33are, for example, elements which control the operations of the display panel3, etc., and supply the power of the battery pack35to the display panel3, etc.

FIG. 4is a plan view showing the electronic device1having the sheet metal30, etc., removed and the middle frame28exposed.

The middle frame28is formed in a rectangular shape smaller than the mask21of the housing2, and has a heat capacity larger than the sheet metal member30. The middle frame28is fixed to the mask21by a plurality of fastening portions42. A plurality of screw holes44and bosses45for positioning are provided on the middle frame28.

The middle frame28is formed of, for example, a magnesium alloy. If the middle frame28is formed of a magnesium alloy, a thermal conductivity is in a range of, for example, 40 to 150 W/(m·K). The middle frame28can be formed of not only a magnesium alloy, but, for example, aluminum or a synthetic resin material.

FIG. 5is a perspective view of the sheet metal member30. The sheet metal member30is formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the middle frame28. The material of the sheet metal member30is, for example, copper, a copper alloy or a graphite sheet. When the material of the sheet metal member30is copper or a copper alloy, a thermal conductivity is in a range of, for example, 200 to 400 W/(m·K). In the example shown inFIG. 5, the sheet metal member30is formed of copper.

The sheet metal member30comprises an antenna support portion51, a heat diffusion portion52continuous to the antenna support portion51, and a pair of fixing portions53provided at the heat diffusion portion52. The antenna support portion51is an element which supports the antenna4, and has, for example, substantially the same size as the antenna4. The heat diffusion portion52is formed to be larger than the antenna support portion51. The heat diffusion portion52includes a first surface52A located on the side of the first surface2A of the housing2, and a second surface52B located on an opposite side to the first surface52A.

The fixing portions53are provided at positions remote from the antenna4. In the example shown inFIG. 5, a fitting hole56is provided on the heat diffusion portion52. As shown inFIG. 3, the fixing portions53are fixed to the screw holes44of the middle frame28by screws57. A boss45of the middle frame28is inserted into the fitting hole56.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of the sheet metal member30having the antenna4excluded from the antenna support portion51. A first heat transfer member61is adhered to the antenna support portion51of the sheet metal member30. The first heat transfer member61is interposed between the antenna4and the antenna support portion51to make thermal connection between the antenna4and the antenna support portion51more certainly.

An example of the first heat transfer member61is a thermally conductive double-sided tape. The first heat transfer member61may be a thermally conductive sheet or thermally conductive grease. If the first heat transfer member61is not a thermally conductive double-sided tape, the antenna4may be fixed to the antenna support portion51by auxiliary means such as a screw.

A second heat transfer member62is adhered to the first surface52A of the heat diffusion portion52. An example of the second heat transfer member62is a thermally conductive sheet. The second heat transfer member62is not limited to a thermally conductive sheet, but may also be a thermally conductive double-sided tape or thermally conductive grease.

FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view showing the antenna4mounted in the antenna support portion51of the sheet metal member30as seen along line F7-F7inFIG. 3. As shown inFIG. 7, the second heat transfer member62is interposed between the sheet metal member30and the middle frame28to make thermal connection between the sheet metal member30and the middle frame28more certainly.

In the first embodiment, a gap G is formed between the antenna cover24of the housing2and the antenna4. The gap G has a length of, for example, 0.5 mm.

The antenna4executes signal transmission to or reception from the antenna cover24. No element to disturb the signal transmission/reception is provided in the gap G. An air layer extending the gap G shuts out to prevent the heat of the antenna4from transferring to the antenna cover24.

Furthermore, a gap H is also formed between the cover body25of the housing2and the heat diffusion portion52of the sheet metal member30. The cover22is therefore thermally separated from the sheet metal member30. In the example shown inFIG. 7, a gap I is also formed between the mask21of the housing2and the antenna support portion51of the sheet metal member30. The mask21is therefore thermally separated from the sheet metal member30.

FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view showing the wireless module32mounted in the middle frame28as seen along line F8-F8inFIG. 3. In the example shown inFIG. 8, the wireless module32comprises a heat generating portion63, a connecting portion64and a fixed portion65.

The heat generating portion63is electrically connected to the antenna4via a cable66shown inFIG. 3and generates heat in accordance with the operation of the antenna4. The connecting portion64is provided at one of ends of the heat generating portion63and inserted into a connector67of the chip set33. The fixed portions65is provided at the other end of the heat generating portion63and fixed to the screw hole44of the middle frame28by a screw68. A gap J is formed between the cover body25of the housing2and the wireless module32.

A third heat transfer member69is adhered to the heat generating portion63of the wireless module32. The third heat transfer member69is interposed between the sheet metal member30and the middle frame28to make thermal connection between the wireless module32and the middle frame28.

An example of the third heat transfer member69is a thermally conductive sheet. The third heat transfer member69is not limited to a thermally conductive sheet, but may also be a thermally conductive double-sided tape or thermally conductive grease.

In the electronic device1of the present embodiment configured as explained above, direct transfer of the heat generated at the antenna4to the housing2can be suppressed since the gap G is formed between the antenna4and the antenna cover24of the housing2. Since the antenna4is thermally connected to the sheet metal member30, the heat generated by the antenna4can be dissipated and diffused to the sheet metal member30inside the housing2. For this reason, even if the communication speed becomes higher and the amount of the heat generation at the antenna4is increased, rise in temperature on a local surface of the housing2can be suppressed.

Furthermore, the sheet metal member30comprises both the function of supporting the antenna4and the function of diffusing the heat of the antenna4. For this reason, a space for mounting the antenna4can be compacted as compared with a case of providing the support member which supports the antenna and the heat radiating member which radiates the heat of the antenna, separately, on the housing2.

In the present embodiment, the thermal connection between the antenna4and the antenna support portion51is more strengthened due to the presence of the first heat transfer member61. For this reason, the heat of the antenna4can be certainly dissipated to the sheet metal member30.

In the present embodiment, the antenna4executes signal transmission to or reception from the antenna cover24of the housing2. The gap G extends between the antenna4and the antenna cover24in a direction of executing communication by the antenna4. For this reason, communication of the antenna4is not disturbed inside the housing2.

In the present embodiment, the sheet metal member30is fixed to the middle frame28having a larger heat capacity than the sheet metal member30. For this reason, the heat transferred from the antenna4to the sheet metal member30can be efficiently dissipated and diffused to the middle frame28.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the thermal connection between the sheet metal member30and the middle frame28is more strengthened due to the presence of the second heat transfer member62. For this reason, the heat of the antenna4transferred to the sheet metal member30can be certainly dissipated to the middle frame28.

In addition, the heat of the wireless module32can be efficiently transferred to the middle frame28due to the presence of the third heat transfer member69. As a result, the operation of the wireless module32can be made stable and the reliability of communication of the antenna4can be increased.

It can be explained from the other viewpoint that the antenna4is thermally separated from the housing2, in the electronic device1of the present embodiment. Since the antenna support portion51of the sheet metal member30supporting the antenna4is sequential with the heat diffusion portion52of the sheet metal member30, the heat generated by the antenna4can be dissipated and diffused from the antenna support portion51to the heat diffusion portion52. As a result, even if the communication speed becomes higher and the amount of the heat generation at the antenna4is increased, rise in temperature on a local surface of the housing2can be suppressed.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the heat diffusion portion52of the sheet metal member30is fixed to the middle frame28. Thus, the heat transferred from the antenna4to the antenna support portion51can be diffused to the heat diffusion portion52and then dissipated to the middle frame28, and rise in temperature on a part of the middle frame28can be suppressed.

In other words, the heat generated at the antenna4is diffused to the sheet metal member30formed of a material having a high thermal conductivity and then dissipated to the middle frame28. For this reason, the heat from the antenna4can be diffused to the middle frame28in a wider area as compared with a case where the antenna4is directly supported by the middle frame28. As a result, the heat radiation property of the antenna4can be further increased.

In the present embodiment, the heat diffusion portion52is larger in size than the antenna support portion51, and secures sufficient heat capacity and heat radiation property. For this reason, rise in temperature on a local surface of the housing2can be suppressed more certainly.

Second Embodiment

An electronic device100of a second embodiment will be explained hereinafter with reference toFIG. 9andFIG. 10. The electronic device100of the second embodiment is a clamshell notebook PC.

As shown inFIG. 9, the electronic device100comprises a PC body102, a display103, and a pair of hinges104that couple the PC body102and the display103. The PC body102comprises a first housing106, a keyboard107provided on the first housing106, etc.

The display103comprises a second housing108, and a display panel110and an antenna111which are contained in the second housing108. The antenna111is located on an opposite side to the hinge104, in the second housing108.

The second housing108is constituted by a combination of a cover116which includes an antenna cover114and a cover body115, and a mask117. The antenna cover114is provided at a position opposed to the antenna111in a thickness direction of the second housing108. The antenna cover114and the antenna4are provided remote from each other so as to be thermally separated from each other.

FIG. 10is a front view of the display103with the mask21and the display panel3cut away in part. In the second embodiment, the display103does not comprise a middle frame. A sheet metal member120is directly fixed to the cover body115of the second housing108.

The sheet metal member120shown inFIG. 10is formed to be thinner than the sheet metal member of the first embodiment. The sheet metal member120comprises a multilayered portion121formed by folding and stacking a sheet metal material, and a heat diffusion portion122continuous to the multilayered portion121. The multilayered portion121is thicker and stronger than the heat diffusion portion122which is not formed by folding and stacking a sheet metal material. The multilayered portion121is arranged outside the display panel110to extend along an edge of the display panel110.

The multilayered portion121comprises an antenna support portion126which supports the antenna111, and a pair of fixing portions127provided remote from the antenna support portion126. In the example shown inFIG. 10, the fixing portions127are fixed to the cover body115of the cover116.

The heat diffusion portion122is formed to be thinner and larger than the antenna support portion126, and extends along an inner surface of the cover body115.

In the second embodiment constituted as explained, the heat generated at the antenna111can be dissipated and diffused to the heat diffusion portion122, similarly to the first embodiment. For this reason, even if the communication speed becomes higher and the amount of the heat generation at the antenna111is increased, rise in temperature on a local surface of the second housing108can be suppressed.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the second housing108can be made further thinner since the middle frame of the first embodiment can be omitted.

In addition, the heat of the antenna111can be smoothly diffused by the greatly extending heat diffusion portion122. Furthermore, the heat diffusion portion122can be made thinner and the second housing108can be thinned. In contrast, the antenna111can be certainly supported since the antenna support portion126is provided on the multilayered portion121which is formed to be thicker than the heat diffusion portion122. Since the multilayered portion121is formed to be thick but arranged at a position displaced from the display panel3, the second housing108can be maintained in a thin form.

Some embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in various other forms, and can be omitted, replaced and changed in a variety of ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the claims and spirit of the invention, and also included in the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. For example, the antenna and the sheet metal member may be contained not in the second housing, but in the first housing, in the second embodiment. If the antenna and the sheet metal member are contained in the first housing, the display may be removed from the electronic device1.