Rotatable antennas

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, an example computing device is disclosed. The example computing device includes a housing. The example computing device also includes a rotatable antenna disposed within the housing. The rotatable antenna is to rotate such that a direction of radiation is maintained in a single direction as the housing is to rotate.

BACKGROUND

Computing devices include wireless antennas to transmit information between electronic devices that are not physically connected to one another. Antennas wirelessly communicate with other antennas through a wireless network. Different wireless networks include different communication protocols and the antennas that are a part of a wireless network communicate in compliance with those protocols. One example of a wireless network is a wireless local area network (WLAN). Another example of a wireless network is a global positioning system (GPS) network. A computing device includes a respective antenna for each wireless network through which it communicates. For example, an electronic device with a Wi-Fi antenna may transmit and receive data via the Wi-Fi network. If the electronic device includes a GPS antenna it may also communicate via a GPS network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Computing devices include any number of antennas to facilitate wireless communication. For example, a computing device may include a Wi-Fi antenna which allows the electronic device to transmit and receive information via a Wi-Fi network. As another example, the computing device may include an LTE antenna that allows the computing device to transmit and receive information via an LTE network. As yet another example, the computing device may include a global positioning system (GPS) antenna to determine, transmit, and receive position information for the computing device and other computing devices.

While wireless communication has undoubtedly shaped the way in which society communicates with one another, some characteristics limit their more thorough implementation. For example, to increase network coverage, access points, base stations, and GPS satellites are generally placed at high elevation positions above electronic device users. Accordingly, to increase signal strength, a computing device antenna may be pointed in a generally upward direction. However, antennas in computing devices may be static, meaning that they don't move relative to the computing device in which it is housed. Accordingly, as the orientation of the computing device changes, it may be the case that an antenna is directed in a sub-optimal direction for communication with the receiving device, i.e., access point, base station, and/or GPS satellite, which communicates with the antenna.

Take for example, a laptop computing device. The orientation of the antenna may be different when the laptop is in an open mode as compared to when the laptop is in a tablet mode. Accordingly, antenna position may be selected for maximum radiation when in one particular position. However, the computing device and antenna may be operated in a variety of other positions. While in any of these other positions, the antenna may be pointed in a sub-optimal direction for which wireless performance is compromised. Accordingly, the present specification describes computing devices with antennas that ensure a desired position of the antenna, even as the computing device is moved between different positions.

Specifically, the present specification describes a computing device with a housing and a rotatable antenna disposed within the housing. The rotatable antenna is to rotate such that a direction of radiation for the rotatable antenna is maintained in a single direction as the housing rotates.

In another example, the computing device includes the housing and the rotatable housing disposed within the housing. As before, in this example, the rotatable antenna is to rotate such that a direction of radiation is maintained in a single direction as the housing rotates. In this example, a weighted portion of the rotatable antenna maintains the direction of radiation in the single direction as the housing rotates.

In another example, the computing device includes the housing and the rotatable housing disposed within the housing. In this example, the rotatable antenna is magnetic. A magnet disposed in the housing is to rotate the rotatable antenna when the rotatable antenna is within a magnetic field of the magnet.

As used in the present specification and in the appended claims, the term “normal” as in a normal direction refers to a direction that is perpendicular to a surface at a given point. For example, the normal direction from a conductive pattern refers to a direction that is perpendicular from the surface of the conductive pattern.

Turning now to the figures,FIG.1is a block diagram of a computing device100with a rotatable antenna104, according to an example. The computing device100may be of a variety of types including a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a smart phone, or any other computing device100that wirelessly communicate with other computing or electronic devices.

The computing device100includes a housing102that houses the various components of the computing device100. In some examples, the housing102may include a hinge. For example, the computing device100may be a laptop computer with an upper half to house a display device and a bottom half to house an input device such as a keyboard and/or a touch sensitive surface.

The computing device100also includes a rotatable antenna104that is disposed within the housing102. That is, the rotatable antenna104is not external to the housing102and connected via a port, but is rather integrated with the housing102. In one particular example, the rotatable antenna104is disposed entirely within the housing102of the computing device100.

As described above, the rotatable antenna104allows the computing device100to wirelessly communicate with other devices. As such, the rotatable antenna104is associated with a direction of radiation. The direction of radiation refers to the direction from which radio frequency (RF) signals are emitted from the rotatable antenna104. In general, this direction of radiation is normal to a radiating portion of the rotatable antenna104. The direction of radiation is maintained in desired directions via the rotatable antenna104. For example, the direction of radiation may be maintained in an upward direction, which may be a desired direction for communication with receiving devices such as an access point, a base station, or a GPS satellite. In an example, the upward direction may refer to a direction away from a surface of the earth, or opposite the force of gravity. In another example, the direction of radiation may be maintained away from the housing102. For example, if an antenna104is disposed in a base of a laptop computing device and the laptop is shut, an upwardly pointing antenna104may experience signal degradation due to the impedance of transmission via the lid of the laptop blocking the antenna. Accordingly, the rotatable antenna104is to rotate such that a direction of radiation is maintained in a desired direction, and in some examples a single direction, as the housing102rotates.

The rotatable antenna104may be any variety of types, wherein a type indicates a wireless network that the rotatable antenna104is associated with. For example, the rotatable antenna104may be a Wi-Fi antenna, an LTE antenna, a wireless wide area network (WWAN) antenna, a wireless local area network (WLAN) antenna, or a GPS antenna. While particular reference is made to specific types of antenna, the rotatable antenna104may be of any of a variety of types to communicate via any number of wireless networks. Moreover, while the computing device100is depicted with a single rotatable antenna104, the computing device100may include multiple rotatable antennas104disposed within the housing102such that the computing device100may communicate via a variety of wireless protocols.

FIG.2is an exploded diagram of a rotatable antenna104, according to an example. In an example, the rotatable antenna104includes an inner rod206with an excitation source208patterned thereon. The excitation source208may be a pattern of conductive material that couples the energy to the rotatable antenna104. The inner rod206may be a plastic body such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic doped with a metallic compound. In this example, the excitation source208may be formed via laser direct structuring (LDS) of the plastic inner rod206body. In this example, a laser may transfer the excitation source208pattern directly onto the molded inner rod206body. That is, the material of the inner rod206may be ABS plastic doped with a conductive material. Where the laser beam hits the surface of the inner rod206, the metal additive forms the excitation source208pattern.

Surrounding the inner rod206is an outer shell210. The outer shell210includes a conductive pattern212formed on the outside surface of the outer shell210. The conductive pattern212may be a radiator for the rotatable antenna104. Radio frequency waves are emitted normal, that is perpendicular and away, from this conductive pattern212. That is, a maximum antenna radiation is in a direction normal to the conductive pattern212. Similar to the inner rod, the outer shell210may be a plastic body such as ABS plastic doped with a metallic compound. In this example, the conductive pattern212may be formed via laser direct structuring (LDS) on the outer shell210body. In this example, a laser may transfer the conductive pattern212directly onto the molded outer shell210body. That is, the material of the outer shell210may be ABS plastic doped with a conductive material. Specifically, where the laser beam hits the plastic, the metal additive forms the conductive pattern212. As depicted inFIG.2, the conductive pattern212may include an inset to increase impedance for better matching with the excitation source208and for energy coupling.

As depicted inFIG.4below, the outer shell210may rotate freely about the inner rod206. Accordingly, the rotatable antenna104may be coupled to the housing102via a fixture that rigidly attaches to the inner rod206of the rotatable antenna104. Accordingly, as the housing102rotates, the inner rod206is stationary relative to the housing102, but the outer shell210may rotate. An example of this motion is depicted inFIGS.6A-6D and10A-10E.

FIG.2depicts an example WLAN antenna. The excitation source208on the inner rod206has two arms to provide dual resonant modes for a 5 gigahertz (GHz) high band the conductive pattern212on the outer shell210is utilized for a 2 GHz low band. While particular reference is made to a WLAN antenna, any type of antenna may be used which includes a conductive pattern212that rotates relative to a position of the housing102and a stationary inner component.

FIG.3is a block diagram of a computing device100with a rotatable antenna104with a weighted portion314, according to an example. Specifically, the computing device100includes the housing102and rotatable antenna104as described above. In this example, the rotatable antenna104includes a weighted portion314to maintain the direction of radiation in the single direction as the housing102rotates.

That is, in this example, the rotatable antenna104directs the direction of radiation upward for those scenarios where a desired transmitting and receiving is upward, for example, when transmitting and receiving from base stations, access points, and GPS satellites which may be higher in elevation than the computing device100. That is, to provide enhanced coverage, receiving devices such as base stations and access points may be placed at higher positions. Accordingly, to enhance the communication with these highly positioned receiving devices, it may be desirable to maintain the direction of radiation upward. To have the direction of radiation facing these high elevation positions, the rotatable antenna104may have different weight distributions. For example, a weighted portion314of the outer shell210may be heavier than other portions of the outer shell. Accordingly, when the computing device100rotates, the outer shell210rotates relative to the computing device100housing102due to the force of gravity pulling the weighted portion314down. As depicted inFIGS.6A-6D, such a weighted portion314ensures that the conductive pattern212and its radiation are directed upwards as the computing device100goes from a closed mode, through an open mode, and into a tablet mode. As such, the rotatable antenna104enhances antenna performance regardless of a position of the housing102of the computing device100.

FIG.4is an end view of a rotatable antenna104with a weighted portion314, according to an example.FIG.4clearly depicts the inner rod206with the excitation source208patterned thereon as well as the outer shell210with the conductive pattern212thereon. As described above, the direction of radiation may be normal to the conductive pattern212formed on the outer shell210. Accordingly, in this example the weighted portion314may be formed in the outer shell210, which outer shell210rotates freely about the inner rod206. The weighted portion314may also be formed on an opposite surface of the outer shell210from the RF emitting conductive pattern212. Accordingly, in this example, the force of gravity will act to draw the weighted portion314of the outer shell210while the conductive pattern212is maintained facing an upward direction.

The weighted portion314may be formed in any variety of ways. For example, the weighted portion314may be doped with a metal material that is heavier than remaining portions of the outer shell210. Such a material may be metallic and may be selected so as to not interfere with the antenna signal transmission. In this example, the outer shell210may be formed by a dual-injection molded process. During one process, an ABS material doped with the heavier material to form the weighted portion314is injected into a mold, followed by injection of a less densely doped ABS for remaining portions of the outer shell210.

In another example, material of the weighted portion314is a different material than remaining portions of the rotatable antenna104. That is, rather than injecting ABS doped with the heavier material, the heavier material itself may be injected into a mold, followed by injection of the conductive material-infused ABS which forms the remaining portions of the outer shell210and from which the conductive pattern212is formed.

FIG.5is an isometric view of a computing device100with a rotatable antenna104, according to an example. Specifically,FIG.5depicts an example where the housing102includes a bottom half518to house an input device522such as a keyboard and/or a touch sensitive surface. In this example, the housing102also includes an upper half516to house a display device520.

In this example, the rotatable antennas104-1,104-2may be disposed in the upper half516of the housing102. Note that whileFIG.5depicts two rotatable antennas104-1,104-2, the computing device100may include any number of rotatable antennas104positioned at other locations within the computing device100housing102.

As described above, the rotatable antennas104may be disposed within the housing102. InFIG.5, this is depicted by the rotatable antennas104being depicted in dashed lines indicating their position internal to the upper half516of the housing102. The rotatable antennas104may be coupled to the housing102via a rigid fixture. That is, the rotatable antenna104may be coupled to the housing102via a fixture rigidly coupled to the housing102and the inner rod206. In an example, a fixture, such as clamps or a shaped opening, may receive the ends of the inner rod206of the rotatable antenna104. Accordingly, the inner rod206may remain stationary relative to the housing102. However, as described above, the outer shell210may rotate freely about the inner rod206. Accordingly, the outer shell210may be in a different orientation relative to the inner rod206and housing102. Specifically, the weighted portion314of the rotatable antenna104may maintain the direction of radiation in the single direction as the upper half516of the housing102rotates.FIGS.6A-6Ddepict the rotation of the upper half516of the housing102and the maintained radiation direction of the rotatable antenna104.

FIGS.6A-6Ddepict a computing device100with a rotatable antenna104in various stages of rotation, according to an example. That is, the computing device100may be rotatable about a hinge to be in different operating positions. Specifically,FIG.6Adepicts the computing device100in a closed position where the display device520and input device522are facing one another,FIGS.6B and6Cdepict the computing device100in an open position, andFIG.6Ddepicts the computing device100in a tablet position where the display device520and the input device522are facing away from one another. The rotatable antenna104in this example is maintained such that the direction of radiation, as indicated by the radiating arrows, is pointed upward as indicated by the arrow617, so as to have a desired direction for communication with the receiving device, which as described above may generally be at a higher elevation than the computing device100.

Specifically, as depicted inFIG.6A, when the computing device100is in a closed position, the weighted portion314of the antenna is drawn down by the force of gravity. The conductive pattern212of the outer shell210being on an opposite side of the outer shell210is thereby directed upward such that the direction of radiation is also upward as indicated by the arrow617.

As depicted inFIG.6B, a user may open the computing device100for use. In this example, were the antenna not rotatable, but fixed relative to a position of the housing102, the direction of radiation may be horizontal, which may be a sub-optimal direction for communication. However, as depicted inFIG.6C, the operation of gravity draws the weighted portion314down, such that the rotatable antenna104rotates. In this example, as with the example depicted inFIG.6A, the conductive pattern212of the outer shell210being on the opposite side of the outer shell210is thereby directed upward such that the direction of radiation is still upward as indicated by the arrow617.

As the computing device100continues along its rotational path through to a tablet mode as depicted inFIG.6Dwhere the display device520of the upper half516and the input device522of the bottom half518are pointed away from each other, a torque force of gravity continues to draw the weighted portion314down such that the conductive pattern212is maintained in a single upward direction through the rotational positions of the upper half516.

Thus, the present computing device100ensures a desired antenna position throughout the various rotational positions of the computing device100. In this example, this is performed by weighting a portion of a freely-rotating outer shell210of a rotatable antenna104to ensure the direction of radiation is in a desired direction.

FIG.7is a block diagram of a computing device100with a magnetized rotatable antenna104and a magnet724, according to an example. That is, in this example, the computing device100includes the housing102as described above and the rotatable antenna104. In this example, the rotatable antenna104is magnetized. More specifically, the rotatable antenna104may have a north pole and a south pole.

In this example, the computing device100includes a magnet724disposed in the housing102. The magnet724rotates the rotatable antenna104when the rotatable antenna104is within a magnetic field of the magnet724. That is, in this example, rather than being rotated by the force of gravity, the rotatable antenna104is rotated by a magnetic force.

In this example, the rotatable antenna104is rotatable to keep the direction of radiation pointed away from the housing102. That is, antennas that are directed towards the housing102may have reduced performance as the housing102body as well as components within the housing102may impede the transmission and reception of RF waves. Accordingly, by ensuring that the direction of radiation is away from the housing102, wireless communication is enhanced by reducing the effect of impeding bodies on the RF transmission.

Take as an example, when a laptop computer is in a closed position. In this example, were the rotatable antenna104to point upward, communication may be impeded by the lid of the laptop computer. Accordingly, a magnet724directs the rotatable antenna104away from the lid and instead directs it outward such that wireless communication is not impeded by the upper half of the computing device100nor the components found in the upper half.

FIG.8is an end view of a magnetized rotatable antenna104with a weighted portion314, according to an example.FIG.8clearly depicts the inner rod206with the excitation source208patterned thereon as well as the outer shell210with the conductive pattern212thereon. As described above, the direction of radiation may be normal to the conductive pattern212formed on the outer shell210. In some examples, in addition to being magnetically polarized, the rotatable antenna104may include a weighted portion314to maintain a direction of radiation in a single direction when the rotatable antenna104is not within the magnetic field of the magnet724. As described above, by virtue of the force of gravity on the weighted portion314, when not in the presence of the magnetic field of the magnet724, the conductive pattern212and direction of radiation is maintained in a single direction, which direction of radiation may be normal to the conductive pattern212.

In some examples, the weighted portion314may have a magnetic polarization that is different than the magnetic polarization of the other portions of the rotatable antenna104. That is, as described above, the weighted portion314may have a magnetic pole designated as a south pole, “S” and remaining portions of the outer shell210may have a magnetic pole designated as a north pole, “N”. Once the magnet724is placed near the outer shell210, the compelling force of the magnet724may rotate the outer shell210as the outer shell210is not fixed to the inner rod206. Accordingly, as the outer shell210rotates, so does the conductive pattern212and the associated direction of radiation.

The weighted portion314may be magnetized in any variety of ways. For example, the weighted portion314may be doped with magnetic particles. In this example, the outer shell210may be formed by a dual-injection molded process. During one process, an ABS material is doped with the heavier material to form the weighted portion314and also with magnetic particles to magnetize the weighted portion314. This heavier and magnetic fluid is injected into a mold, followed by injection of a less densely doped ABS without magnetic particles for remaining portions of the outer shell210.

FIG.9is an isometric view of a computing device100with a rotatable antenna104, according to an example. Specifically,FIG.9depicts an example where the housing102includes a bottom half518to house an input device522such as a keyboard and/or a touch sensitive surface. In this example, the housing102also includes an upper half516to house a display device520.

In this example, the rotatable antenna104is disposed in the bottom half518of the housing102. Note that whileFIG.9depicts a single rotatable antenna104, the computing device100may include any number of rotatable antennas104positioned at other locations within the computing device100housing102.

As described above, the rotatable antenna104may be disposed within the housing102. InFIG.9, this is depicted by the rotatable antenna104being depicted in dashed lines indicating its position internal to the bottom half518of the housing102. The rotatable antenna104may be coupled to the housing102via a rigid fixture. That is, the rotatable antenna104is coupled to the housing102via a fixture rigidly coupled to the housing102and the inner rod206. In an example, a fixture such as clamps may receive the ends of the inner rod206of the rotatable antenna104. Accordingly, the inner rod206may remain stationary relative to the housing102. However, as described above, the outer shell210may rotate freely about the inner rod206. Accordingly, at different points in time, the outer shell210may be in a different orientation relative to the inner rod206and housing102. Specifically, the weighted portion314of the rotatable antenna104may rotate even as the bottom half518of the housing102remains stationary.

FIG.9also depicts the magnet724disposed in the upper half516of the housing102. As with the rotatable antenna104, the magnet724may be inside the housing102as indicated inFIG.9by the magnet724having a dashed outline. As described above, the magnet724in the upper half516compels/attracts the magnetized outer shell210. This force may cause the outer shell210to rotate as the rotatable antenna104enters the magnetic field of the magnet724, for example, as the upper half516of the computing device100is moved towards the bottom half518as when the computer is closed. Specifically, the magnet724rotates the conducive pattern214outward and away from the housing102such that transmitting and receiving performance is maintained.FIGS.10A-10Edepict the rotation of the upper half516of the housing102and the maintained radiation direction of the rotatable antenna104.

FIGS.10A-10Edepict a computing device100with a magnetized rotatable antenna104in various stages of rotation, according to an example. As depicted inFIG.10A, when in an open mode, the weighted portion314of the rotatable antenna104, which may be on an opposite side of the outer shell210from the conductive pattern212is acted upon by the force of gravity which draws it down. The force of gravity on the weighted portion314causes the conductive pattern212to face upward, and thus radiate in an upward direction away from a surface of the earth as indicated by the arrow617, which may be a desired direction.

However, as depicted inFIG.10B, when the upper half516is moved to be adjacent to the bottom half518with the input device522and display device520facing one another, such as when the computing device100is in a closed position, the components and body of the upper half516may block transmission of waves out of the rotatable antenna104.

Accordingly, as depicted inFIG.100, the magnetic field and orientation of the magnet724may compel the magnetized rotatable antenna104to rotate such that the radiation pattern of the conductive pattern212is away from the housing102. Doing so may increase the strength of transmitted and received signals.

A similar effect is depicted inFIGS.10D and10Ewhere the computing device100is in a tablet mode where the upper half516and the bottom half518are adjacent one another, but the display device520and the input device522are facing away from one another.

In this example, an upper half516of the computing device100may block transmission of waves out of the rotatable antenna104as depicted inFIG.10D. However, due to the magnetic field and orientation of the magnet724, the rotatable antenna104is rotated as indicated such that the radiation pattern of the conductive pattern212is away from the housing102as depicted inFIG.10E. Doing so may increase the strength of transmitted and received signals. Accordingly, as depicted inFIGS.10A-10E, when the housing102is in an open position such as that depicted inFIG.10A, the weighted portion314is to maintain the direction of radiation in a direction opposite gravity. However, when the housing102is in a closed position such as depicted inFIG.100and in a tablet position such as depicted inFIG.10E, the magnet724rotates the direction of radiation away from the housing102.