Electronic device including slot antenna module

In an embodiment, an electronic device may include a first cover covering an upper portion of a main body and containing a first antenna module disposed on a lateral portion thereof, a spacer member disposed over the first cover, and a second cover disposed over the spacer member. The first and second covers may be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance due to the spacer member, and a separation space between the first and second covers may be configured to operate as a second antenna module. It is therefore possible to guarantee high-efficiency wireless performance having iso-directionality without compromising the design of the electronic device. Other embodiments are also possible.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0134849, filed on Oct. 28, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Field

The instant disclosure generally relates to an electronic device including at least one slot antenna module.

Description of Related Art

A great variety of portable electronic devices such as smart phones, notebook computers, and tablet PCs are becoming increasingly commonplace.

Conventionally, such portable electronic devices are capable of transmitting and receiving various kinds of data to and from other electronic devices through wireless communication.

In order to perform long-distance communication (e.g., voice call) and/or short-range communication (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), the portable electronic device may include at least one antenna.

At the same time, these portable electronic devices are becoming thinner for improved portability. To maintain robustness the outer shell of the portable electronic devices may be made of metal housings.

In these portable electronic devices, at least a portion of the metal housings may be used as an antenna, and/or an antenna may be disposed in an inner space of the portable electronic devices.

In case where a portion of the metal housing is used as an antenna, the other portion of the metal housing may act as a radiation absorber. Unfortunately, this may degrade radiation efficiency and reduce bandwidth.

In case where an antenna is disposed inside the portable electronic device, the outer appearance of the electronic device may be disfigured because a portion of the outer housing may need to be made of plastic in order for signals to pass through to the antenna. In addition, due to noise caused by high-speed interface signals, signal reception performance may be deteriorated.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include a metal housing and an antenna module. The metal housing may include a first portion covering an upper portion of a main body, a second portion covering a lateral portion of the main body, and a third portion covering a rear portion of the main body. The antenna module may include a slot formed in a part of the second portion, an antenna printed circuit board (PCB) disposed, at a position corresponding to the slot, near an inner surface of the second portion, and a fixing member configured to fix the antenna PCB. The slot and the antenna PCB may be configured to operate as an antenna.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include a first cover covering an upper portion of a main body and containing a first antenna module disposed on a lateral portion thereof, a spacer member disposed over the first cover, and a second cover disposed over the spacer member. The first and second covers may be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance due to the spacer member, and a separation space between the first and second covers may be configured to operate as a second antenna module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments of the instant disclosure may provide an electronic device including a slot antenna module capable of guaranteeing high-efficiency wireless performance having iso-directionality without compromising the outer appearance design of the electronic device.

Hereinafter, various example embodiments of the disclosure will be described in greater detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG.1is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device101in a network environment100according to certain embodiments.

The antenna module197may transmit/receive a signal or power to/from an external entity (e.g., an external electronic device). According to some embodiments, the antenna module197may be formed of a conductor or a conductive pattern and may further include any other component (e.g., RFIC). According to an embodiment, the antenna module197may include one or more antennas, which may be selected to be suitable for a communication scheme used in a specific communication network, such as the first network198or the second network199by, for example, the communication module190. Through the selected at least one antenna, a signal or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module190and the external electronic device.

FIG.2is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.2, the electronic device200according to an embodiment may include a main body210, a connector215, a display body220, and a metal housing230.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device200may be the electronic device101shown inFIG.1. For example, as shown in the figure, the electronic device200may be a notebook computer. However, the instant disclosure is not so limited, and the electronic device200may alternatively be a smart phone, a tablet PC, an e-book terminal, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a wearable device, or a home appliance.

According to an embodiment, the main body210may include a keyboard202, a touch pad204, a palm rest206, and an antenna module208.

According to an embodiment, the keyboard202(e.g., the input device150inFIG.1) may be configured to have a plurality of keys arranged in an upper portion of the main body210. The keyboard202may receive user inputs for entering numeric or character data. The keyboard202may include a plurality of alphanumeric input keys and a plurality of function keys. The function keys may include navigation keys, volume keys, and various shortcut keys each configured to perform a particular function. The keyboard203may be implemented as a QWERTY key array, a 3*4 key array, a 4*3 key array, or any other alternative key array.

According to an embodiment, the touch pad204may implement the functionalities of a mouse. For example, the touch pad204may receive a user's touch input for selecting or executing an application displayed on the screen222of the display body220.

According to an embodiment, the palm rest206may support user's palms and wrists when the user of the electronic device200uses the keyboard202.

According to an embodiment, the antenna module208(e.g., the antenna module197inFIG.1) may transmit and receive signals or power to and from an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices102,104, and108inFIG.1). The antenna module208will be described below with reference toFIG.3.

According to an embodiment, the connector215may connect the main body210and the display body220, and do so in a way so that the main body210and the display body220can be folded or unfolded with respect to each other. The connector215may mechanically connect the main body210and the display body220. In this case, the connector215may include a hinge member at a certain position. In addition, the connector215may electrically connect the main body210and the display body220. In this case, the connector215may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) at a certain position.

According to an embodiment, the display body220may include the screen222. The screen222may include the display device160inFIG.1.

According to an embodiment, the screen222may display various content of the electronic device200, data inputted by the user through the keyboard202, and/or information to be visually provided to the user. The screen222may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, an active matrix OLED (AMOLED) display, a flexible display, or a transparent display. The screen222may visually display thereon various screens associated with the use of the portable electronic device200, for example, a home screen, a menu screen, a lock screen, a game screen, a web page screen, a call screen, a music or video playback screen, and the like.

According to an embodiment, the metal housing230may form the outer chassis of the main body210. The metal housing230may also be applied to the palm rest206of the main body210. The metal housing230may protect various electronic components (e.g., the processor120, the memory130, the sensor module176, and the like inFIG.1) contained in the main body210. The metal housing230may have a first portion231covering an upper portion of the main body210, a second portion233covering a lateral portion of the main body210, and a third portion235covering a rear or bottom portion of the main body210.

According to an embodiment, the metal housing230may also form the outer chassis of the display body220. The metal housing230may protect various electronic components (e.g., the camera module180, the sound output device155, and the like inFIG.1) contained in the display body220.

FIG.3is an exploded perspective view illustrating an antenna module according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.3is an enlarged view showing an example of the antenna module208shown inFIG.2(e.g., the antenna module197inFIG.1) and its periphery. The antenna module shown inFIG.3may be referred to as a first antenna module in the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.3, the antenna module208according to an embodiment may include a slot301, a plate305, an antenna PCB310, and a fixing member320.

According to an embodiment, the slot301may be formed partially in the second portion233(e.g., the lateral portion) of the metal housing230. Again, the metal housing230may form the outer chassis of the main body210.

According to an embodiment, the slot301may have the shape of a narrow and elongated hole. The slot301may be changed in size according to the antenna frequency required by the electronic device200. The slot301may be formed to minimize damage to the metal housing230. The slot301may have a stepped portion303formed along an edge of the slot301.

According to an embodiment, the plate305may cover the slot301. That is, the plate305may be mounted on and engaged with the stepped portion303to close the slot301.

According to an embodiment, the plate305may be engaged with the stepped portion303via an adhesive, a hook, and/or by double injection. The plate305may be made of polycarbonate (PC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin. Alternatively, the plate305may be made of a metallic material having a resistance value of about 1 giga-ohm to about 20 giga-ohms.

According to an embodiment, the antenna PCB310may be disposed close to the slot301. Specifically, the antenna PCB310may be disposed, at a position corresponding to the slot301, near the inner surface of the second portion233(e.g., the lateral portion) of the metal housing230.

According to an embodiment, the antenna PCB310may be coupled to the slot301, thus operating the slot301as an antenna. The antenna PCB310may include a power feeder and an antenna pattern to operate the slot301as an antenna. The antenna PCB310may also include an electric cable315. The cable315may be connected to a communication module (e.g., the communication module190inFIG.1) of the electronic device. At least one engaging protrusion312may be disposed around the antenna PCB310in the main body210.

According to an embodiment, the fixing member320may be fixed to the antenna PCB310on a first side or front side thereof. The fixing member320may accurately fix the antenna PCB310to the position corresponding to the slot301. The fixing member320may allow the slot301and the antenna PCB310to maintain a predetermined distance. The fixing member320, having a fixed distance from the antenna PCB310, may contribute to ensuring uniform radiation performance of the antenna module. The fixing member320may be attached to the inner surface of the third portion235of the metal housing230via an adhesive member (not shown) such as double-sided adhesive tape. The double-sided adhesive tape may be made of a conductive material.

According to an embodiment, the fixing member320may have a receiving hole325for accommodating and fixing the cable315connected to the antenna PCB310. The fixing member320may also have at least one engaging hole322on a second side or rear side thereof. The engaging hole(s)322may be engaged with the engaging protrusion(s)312disposed around the antenna PCB310, so that the antenna PCB310may be spaced apart from the slot301at a predetermined distance.

According to an embodiment, instead of the engaging protrusion312, a screw may be used to be engaged with the engaging hole322. The screw may be made of a non-conductive material. If the screw is made of a conductive material, the screw should be spaced apart from the slot301at a given distance or more so as not to deteriorate the radiation performance of the antenna module.

FIG.4is a perspective view illustrating an antenna PCB of an antenna module according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.4, the antenna module208according to an embodiment may include a ground layer401formed integrally with and extended from a lower portion of the antenna PCB310.

According to an embodiment, the ground layer401may be disposed on the inner surface of the third portion235of the metal housing230. In order to ensure the performance of the antenna PCB310, the ground layer401may be disposed on a surface perpendicular to the antenna PCB310.

According to an embodiment, the ground layer401may be omitted depending on the design of the electronic device200and the antenna module208.

FIG.5is a perspective view illustrating an arrangement structure of an antenna module according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.5, in the antenna module208according to an embodiment, the fixing member320may be fixed to the antenna PCB310.

According to an embodiment, the fixing member320may accurately fix the antenna PCB310to the position corresponding to the slot301. In addition, the fixing member320may fix the antenna PCB310so that it is a predetermined distance away from the slot301. The fixing member320may be stably disposed because the engaging hole(s)322may be engaged with the engaging protrusion(s)312disposed around the antenna PCB310. Also, the fixing member320may be further stably disposed because it may be attached to the inner surface of the third portion235of the metal housing230via an adhesive member such as a double-sided adhesive tape.

FIG.6is a perspective view illustrating an arrangement structure of an antenna module according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.6, the antenna module208according to another embodiment may include a wall portion601surrounding at least a part of the fixing member320.

According to an embodiment, the wall portion601may surround three sides of the fixing member320. That is, the wall portion601may surround the fixing member320except for the side of the fixing member320that is facing the inner surface of the second portion233of the metal housing230. The wall portion601may be made of a metallic material.

According to an embodiment, the wall portion601may prevent current flowing through the antenna PCB310from affecting other components disposed in the inner space of the electronic device200. The wall portion601may also assist to guide the radiation of the antenna module toward the slot301. Thus, the wall portion601may also perform the function of shielding electrical noise.

FIG.7is a plan view illustrating a rear surface of an electronic device including at least one antenna module according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.8is a side view illustrating a lateral portion of a main body of an electronic device including at least one antenna module according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.9is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lateral portion of a main body of an electronic device including at least one antenna module according to an embodiment of the disclosure. For example,FIG.9may be a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A′ ofFIG.8.

The electronic device700shown inFIGS.7to9may include the above-described antenna module208shown inFIGS.2to6. In the following description ofFIGS.7to9, duplicative descriptions about the same elements and functions as those of the above-described embodiments ofFIGS.2to6may be omitted.

In the description ofFIGS.7to9, the above-described antenna module208shown inFIGS.2to6may be referred to as a first antenna module208.

Referring toFIGS.7to9, the electronic device700according to an embodiment may include a first cover710, a spacer member715, and a second cover720.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device700may be the electronic device101inFIG.1and/or the electronic device200inFIG.2.

According to an embodiment, the first cover710may cover an upper portion of a main body, for example, the upper portion of the main body210where the keyboard202, the touch pad204, and the palm rest206are disposed as shown inFIG.2. The first cover710may be made of a metallic material. The first cover710may be at least a part of the above-described metal housing230.

According to an embodiment, the first antenna module208may be disposed on a lateral portion of the first cover710. The antenna PCB310of the first antenna module208may disposed vertically in or with the first cover710. As shown inFIG.9, an area901having no metallic material may exist above the antenna PCB310. The first antenna module208may perform primary radiation to the outside of the electronic device700.

According to an embodiment, the spacer member715may be disposed over the first cover710. The spacer member715may be configured to allow the first and second covers710and720to be spaced apart from each other at a certain distance. The spacer member715may be made of a non-conductive material (e.g., plastic).

According to an embodiment, the spacer member715may be disposed between the first cover710and the second cover720. Thus, the first cover710and the second cover720, due to the spacer member715, may be electrically floating with respect to each other. The separation space between the first cover710and the second cover720may operate as a second antenna module708. The second antenna module708may be coupled to the antenna PCB310, thus operating as an antenna. That is, when a flow of current is generated between the first cover710and the second cover720, the second antenna module708may perform secondary radiation to the outside.

According to an embodiment, the width W2of the separation space between the first cover710and the second cover720(i.e., the width of the second antenna module708) may be greater than the width W1of the slot301of the first antenna module208.

According to an embodiment, the second cover720may be disposed on the spacer member715. The second cover720may cover a lower portion of the main body210as shown inFIG.2. The second cover720may be made of a metallic material. The second cover720may be at least a part of the above-described metal housing230.

According to an embodiment, because the first and second covers710and720are electrically floating state with respect to each other due to the spacer member715as mentioned above, the four sides of the electronic device700may not be connected. However, the space between the first and second covers710and720operates as the second antenna module708, so that radiation can be made on all four sides of the electronic device700.

FIG.10is a diagram comparing radiation characteristics of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure with those of a conventional electronic device.

Specifically,FIG.10shows radiation characteristics (B) of the electronic device700of an embodiment of the disclosure and radiation characteristics (A) of a conventional electronic device, measured in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WLAN frequency bands.

Referring toFIG.10, it can be seen that the electronic device700shown inFIGS.7to9has iso-directionality compared to the conventional electronic device (e.g., a metal housing parting). That is, it can be seen that the electronic device700according to an embodiment has excellent directionality compared to the conventional electronic device.

FIG.11is a diagram comparing antenna performance between an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure and a conventional electronic device.

Specifically,FIG.10shows antenna performance (D) of the electronic device700of an embodiment of the disclosure and antenna performance (C) of the conventional electronic device, measured in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WLAN frequency bands.

Referring toFIG.11, it can be seen that the electronic device700shown inFIGS.7to9has excellent antenna performance compared to the conventional electronic device (e.g., a metal housing parting).