Wireless communication device and antenna thereof

A wireless communication device (10) includes an antenna (12), an electronic element (14), and a support member (18). The antenna for radiating and receiving electromagnetic signals is disposed on one side of the electronic element. The support member includes at least one support portion disposed between the antenna and the electronic element to form a space for spacing the antenna and the electronic element to enhance the radiation efficiency of the antenna.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electronic devices, i.e., wireless communication devices, and particularly to an electronic device having an antenna for wireless communication.

2. Description of Related Art

In a wireless communication device, an antenna is a key element for radiating and receiving radio frequency signals. Characteristics of the antenna, such as radiation efficiency, have a significant influence on performance of the wireless communication device.

Referring toFIG. 8, it is a schematic diagram of a conventional wireless communication device20. The wireless communication device20includes an antenna22, a surface acoustic module (SAM)24, and a circuit board26. One surface of the SAM24is directly contacted with the circuit board26, and the other surface of the SAM24is directly contacted with the antenna22. The antenna22is fixed on the SAM24by hot melting. However, radiation efficiency of the antenna22of the conventional wireless communication device20is reduced because parts of the common-used lossy SAM24, which are nearest to antenna22and circuit board26could result in higher dielectric loss.

Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, a wireless communication device includes an antenna, an electronic element, and a support member. The antenna for radiating and receiving electromagnetic signals is disposed on one side of the electronic element. The support member includes at least one support portion disposed between the antenna and the electronic element to form a space for spacing the antenna and the electronic element.

In another aspect of the invention, a wireless communication device includes a circuit board, an electronic element, an antenna, and at least one support portion. The antenna is for radiating and receiving electromagnetic signals. The electronic element is sandwiched between the circuit board and the antenna. The at least one support portion is disposed between the antenna and the electronic element for spacing the antenna and the electronic element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is an exploded, schematic view of a wireless communication device10of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication device10includes an antenna12, an electronic element14, a circuit board16, and support members18, wherein the electronic element14is disposed between the circuit board16and the antenna12. The antenna12is provided for radiating and receiving electromagnetic signals, and is disposed beside one side of the electronic element14. The antenna12defines an extending plane (not labeled) along the one side of the electronic element14and a plurality of bending flanges around the plane. The circuit board16is disposed beside an opposite side of the electronic element14. In the exemplary embodiment, the electronic element14is an acoustic module, preferably a surface acoustic module (SAM). The support members18extend from two opposite surfaces140,142of the SAM14.

Each support member18includes a first support portion180, a second support portion182, and a fixing portion184. The first support portion180extends from a first surface140of the SAM14, and into a space20(shown onFIG. 2) formed between the antenna12and the SAM14, for spacing the antenna12and the electronic element14. The second support portion182extends from a second surface142of the SAM14, and into a space22(shown onFIG. 2) formed between the SAM14and the circuit board16, for spacing the SAM14and the circuit board16. In the exemplary embodiment, the first surface140is opposite to the second surface142. The first support portion180between the antenna12and the SAM14and the second support portion182between the SAM14and the circuit board16are insulative.

The fixing portions184extend from the first support portions180for fixing the antenna12on the first support portions180of the support members18. In the exemplary embodiment, the first support portions180, the second support portions182, the fixing portions184, and the SAM14are integrally formed. In the exemplary embodiment, the first support portions180, the second support portions182, and the fixing portions184are plastic cylinders. Quantities, diameters D1, and heights H1of the first support portions180are substantially the same as those of the second support portions182. There are as many fixing portions184as there are first support portions180. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the quantities of the first support portion180, the second support portion182, and the fixing portion184may differ from each other. In the exemplary embodiment, diameters D3of the fixing portions184are less than the diameters D1of the first support portions180, and heights H3of the fixing portions184are less than the heights H1of the first support portions180.

The antenna12includes a plurality of holes120corresponding to the fixing portions184. In the exemplary embodiment, diameters (not labeled) of the holes120are bigger than the diameters D3of the fixing portions184, and are less than the diameters D1of first support portions180.

FIG. 2Ais an assembled view ofFIG. 1.FIG. 2Bis a side view ofFIG. 2Afrom Y-axial negative direction. In assembly, the fixing portions184of the support members18are inserted into the holes120of the antenna12, and the antenna12is fixed on the first support portions180of the SAM14by hot melting the fixing portions184. The second support portions182of the SAM14are disposed on the circuit board16. The space20is formed between the antenna12and the SAM14because of the first support portions180, and the space22is formed between the SAM14and the circuit board16because of the second support portions182.

In the exemplary embodiment, a height W1of the space20and a height W2of the space22are 1 millimeter (mm). In other exemplary embodiments, the height W1of the space20and the height W2of the space22can be between 0.1˜2.0 mm.

In alternative exemplary embodiments, shapes of the first support portions180, the second support portions182, the fixing portions184, and the holes120can be other than cylindrical.

FIG. 3is a graph of simulated test results showing radiation efficiency of the antenna12of the wireless communication device10ofFIG. 1. As shown, the radiation efficiency of the antenna12with the heights W1, W2at 1 mm is better than the radiation efficiency of the antenna12with the heights W1, W2at 0 mm.

FIG. 4is a graph of simulated test results showing reflection coefficients of the antenna12of the wireless communication device10ofFIG. 1. As shown, when the antenna12operates at working frequency bands of 824˜894 MHz, its reflection coefficient is less than −6 dB.

FIGS. 5-7are graphs of simulated test results showing radiation patterns when the antenna12of the wireless communication device10ofFIG. 1is operated at 856 MHz. It is to be noted that for X-Z plane the radiation patterns are close to an optimal radiation pattern when the antenna12of the wireless communication device10ofFIG. 1is operated at 856 MHz.

While exemplary embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only and not by way of limitation. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.