Antenna assembly and wireless communication device employing the same

An antenna assembly is used in a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device includes a main body and a circuit board received within the main body. The antenna assembly includes a first antenna unit located in the main body, a feed point and a second antenna unit. The feed point is electrically connected to the circuit board and the first antenna unit. One part of the second antenna unit is exposed from the main body, the other part of the second antenna unit is located within the main body and produces resonance with the first antenna unit to receive and transmit radio signals. The antenna assembly can occupy small space in the wireless communication device and reduce coupled interference of other electronic components on the antenna assembly.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The disclosure generally relates to telecommunications, and more particularly to an antenna assembly and a wireless communication device employing the antenna assembly.

2. Description of the Related Art

Antennas are important components in wireless communication devices such as mobile phones or personal digital assistants (PDAs), for example, converting electric currents to radio waves, and receiving and transmitting the radio waves. However, most of the antennas have a large size and complex structures, which may occupy a large amount of inner space of the wireless communication devices which will not allow miniaturization of the wireless communication devices.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a partially cross-sectional view of a wireless communication device200including a circuit board240and an antenna assembly100, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, the wireless communication device200can be a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA), for example, and further includes a main body220and a function selection module260. The circuit board240and the function selection module260are assembled within the main body220.

In this embodiment, the main body220defines an opening222. The circuit board240can be a printed circuit board (PCB) and includes a signal incepting point (not shown), the signal incepting point is used to provide and transmit radio signals to the antenna assembly100. The function selection module260is electrically located on the circuit board240, and can be directly manipulated by a user to break an electrical circuit or control power flow in a circuit of the wireless communication device200. In this embodiment, the function selection module260can be a power switch of the wireless communication device200that executes different programs to turn on or turn off the wireless communication device200.

In this embodiment, the antenna assembly100is integrated within the wireless communication device100, and receives and transmits radio signals at a global positioning system (GPS) band. The antenna assembly100includes a first antenna unit10, a feed point20, a bracket30, a connection portion40, and a second antenna unit50. The first antenna unit10is made of conductive materials such as copper or other metals, and is located within the main body220. In this embodiment, the first antenna unit10is a substantially square-wave shaped plate and is substantially parallel to the circuit board240.

The feed point20is located at one distal end of the first antenna unit10and is electrically connected to the signal incepting point of the circuit board240, to deliver and transmit the radio signals to the first antenna unit10. In this embodiment, the bracket30is made of non-conductive materials and is positioned between the circuit board240and the first antenna unit10, to support and carry the first antenna unit10. The connection portion40is located at another distal end of the first antenna unit10opposite to the feed point20. The connection portion40elastically resists against the second antenna unit50to connect the first antenna unit10and the second antenna unit50. The connection portion40can be an elastic metal sheet.

In this embodiment, the second antenna unit50can be made of copper, or other metal, or electroplated plastic that has the capacity of radiating electromagnetic waves. The second antenna unit50is partially exposed to the main body220and may be used as a power button of the wireless communication device200, for example. The second antenna unit50includes a first radiating section52, a second radiating section54, a third radiating section56, and a fourth radiating section58.

The first radiating section52is substantially rectangular shape, and passes through the opening222, and is partially exposed to the main body220, which may save the inner design space of the wireless communication device200. The second radiating section54is substantially rectangular shape, and is located within the main body220. The size of the second radiation section54is substantially larger than that of the opening222to prevent the second antenna unit50moving out from the opening222. The third radiating section56and the first radiating section52are located at opposite sides of the second radiating section54. The third radiating section56is aligned with the function selection module260to selectably contact and resist against the function selection module260to execute different functions.

In this embodiment, the first radiating section52, the second radiating section54and the third radiating section56are implemented as the power button. When the first radiating section52is operated, the second radiating section54elastically deforms, and the third radiating section56moves towards the function selection module260until the third radiating section56contacts and resists against the function selection module260. Thus, the function selection module200can execute different programs to turn on or turn off the wireless communication device200. In this embodiment, an insulation layer280is positioned on the function selection module260to prevent short circuit when the third radiating section56contacts the function selection module260.

The fourth radiating section58is electrically connected to the second radiating section54, and is located within the main body220, and extends towards the first antenna unit10, and is electrically connected to the first antenna unit10through the connection portion40. Thus, a current path is formed on the second antenna unit50and the first antenna unit10via the connection portion40, therefore, the first antenna unit50and the second antenna unit50can produce resonance at the GPS frequency band.

In use, the signal incepting point of circuit board240provides an oscillating radio frequency electric current for the first antenna unit10and the second antenna unit50to radiate the energy from the current as electromagnetic waves (radio waves) to send the GPS signals. Referring to following comparison table, where the comparison table illustrates efficiency relationship between the antenna assembly100of the disclosure and a traditional built-in antenna.

In addition to receiving and transmitting the GPS signals, the antenna assembly100can also receive and transmit other radio signals, such as BLUETOOTH signals or WIFI signals. Moreover, the first radiating section52, the second radiating section54and the third radiating section56of the second antenna unit50can also be applied as volume adjustment button or can be used for other functions, but not limited to the power button.

In summary, the antenna assembly100of the disclosure, the second antenna unit50is partially exposed to the main body220to be implemented as a function button, such as a power switch or volume adjustment button, which can occupy small space of the wireless communication device200and reduce coupled interference of other electronic components on the antenna assembly100. Moreover, the other part of the second antenna unit50is located within the main body220, and resonates with first antenna unit10to produce corresponding resonant frequencies.

In the present specification and claims, the word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. Further, the word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed.