Antenna device and portable radio electronic appliance using the same

Abstract: An antenna device includes an antenna (1) provided with a joining member for joining with a holder (2) through a hole of a case (4), a case (4) comprising feeding spring escape/rotation prevention ribs (5) provided parallel to the antenna insertion direction in the vicinity of the hole, the holder (2) to be joined with the joining member inserted through the hole, and a feeding spring (3) engaged astride around the holder (2).

Description: The present invention relates to an antenna device in accordance with the generic clause of claim 1 to be assembled from the outside of an electronic appliance case of, for example, a radio appliance or a portable phone. In particular, it relates to a configuration comprising ribs in the case for preventing escape of a feeding spring. Such a conventional configuration is shown in FIG. 6 which has been adopted for attaching the antenna onto the case in an antenna device to be assembled from the outside of an electronic appliance case of a radio appliance or a portable phone. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, an antenna 11 is fixed together with a holder 12 and a feeding spring 13 through an antenna inserting hole provided in a case 14 by screwing. However, according to the conventional antenna device, a problem is involved in that since the holder 12 and the feeding spring 13 are fixed together by screwing, in the case the screw is loosened by any cause, the contact point of the feeding spring 13 is displaced so that the antenna device cannot function any longer. From document US-A-5603630 there is already known an antenna device comprising an antenna coupled to an adapter joining with a holder through a hole. The adapter is inserted into the holder. From document DE 32 33 976 C1 there is already known a device having ribs which engage with a recess of a screw to prevent the rotation of a screw. Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an antenna device without the risk of displacement or escape of a feeding spring. This object is met by the characterizing features of claim 1. According to the present invention the escape and the displacement of the feeding spring can be achieved. Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention an inclination is formed at the tip portion of the ribs in the direction for mounting the feeding spring. As a result the effect of simplifying attachment of the holder and the feeding spring can be achieved. Moreover, since a further aspect of the invention is the antenna device according to any of the first to third aspects, wherein a curvature is formed at the tip portion of the ribs along the antenna insertion direction, the effect of simplifying attachment of the holder and the feeding spring can be achieved. Furthermore, since a further aspect of the invention is the antenna device according to the first aspect, wherein the ribs are provided parallel to the antenna insertion direction at least at one point of one side in the vicinity of the hole, the effect of preventing escape of the feeding spring can be achieved. Moreover, since a further aspect of the invention is the antenna device according to the second aspect, wherein the ribs are provided parallel to the antenna insertion direction at least at one point of one side in the vicinity of the hole, the effect of preventing escape of the feeding spring can be achieved. Furthermore, since a further aspect of the invention is a portable radio electronic appliance comprising the antenna device according to any of the first to sixth aspects, the effect of preventing escape or rotation of the feeding spring in the portable radio electronic appliance can be achieved. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of an antenna device according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vicinity of the hole of the case in the antenna device according to the embodiment of the invention, viewed from above. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the state with the holder and the feeding spring mounted in the antenna device according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevation view showing the configuration of the antenna device according to the embodiment of the invention immediately before completion of the assembly, viewed from the inside of the case. FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevation view showing the configuration of the antenna device according to the embodiment of the invention in the state after completion of the assembly, viewed from the inside of the case. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a conventional antenna device. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be explained with reference to the accompanied drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of an antenna device according to the invention. In FIG. 1, the antenna device comprises an antenna 1 provided with a joining member for joining with a holder 2 through a hole, a case 4 comprising feeding spring escape/rotation prevention ribs 5 provided parallel to the antenna insertion direction in the vicinity of the hole, the holder 2 to be joined with the joining member inserted through the hole, and a feeding spring 3 engaged astride around the holder 2. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vicinity of the hole of the case viewed from above. It is observed that the feeding spring escape/rotation prevention ribs 5 are provided parallel to the antenna insertion direction from the case 4. Moreover, it is observed that a curvature R is formed at the tip portion of the feeding spring escape/rotation prevention ribs 5 along the antenna insertion direction. The curvature R is formed for facilitating attachment of the parts. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the state with the holder 2 and the feeding spring 3 mounted further to the state of FIG. 2. The positional relationship among the holder 2, the feeding spring 3 and the feeding spring escape/rotation prevention ribs 5 can be observed. FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevation view showing the configuration of the antenna device immediately before completion of the assembly, viewed from the inside of the case. FIG. 4 shows the state wherein the antenna is joined with the holder 2 already, and the feeding spring 3 is being attached onto the holder 2 by applying pressure. That is, it is understood that since the pressure is applied onto the feeding spring 3 for mounting on the holder 2, the feeding spring 3 can be mounted with the tip portion thereof placed around the holder 2 as well as the surface having the contact point astride on the surface of the holder 2 without contacting with the feeding spring escape/rotation prevention ribs 5. It is observed that an inclination is formed at the tip portion of the feeding spring escape/rotation prevention ribs 5 in the direction for mounting the feeding spring 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevation view showing the configuration of the antenna device in the state after completion of the assembly, viewed from the inside of the case. Since assembly of the antenna device has been completed already in FIG. 5, for example, in the case a force of pulling out the feeding spring 3 is applied in the arrow direction, the feeding spring 3 is contacted with the feeding spring escape/rotation prevention ribs 5 owing to the spring force of the feeding spring 3 so that the feeding spring 3 cannot be pulled out owing to inhibition by the feeding spring escape/rotation prevention ribs 5. Moreover, in the case a rotational force is applied on the feeding spring 3, the feeding spring 3 is contacted with the feeding spring escape/rotation prevention ribs 5 owing to the spring force of the feeding spring 3 so that the feeding spring 3 cannot be rotated owing to inhibition by the feeding spring escape/rotation prevention ribs 5.

Claims: An antenna device comprising: an antenna (1,11) provided with a joining member for joining with a holder (2;12) through a hole, and a case (4;14) having a holder (2;12) to be joined with said joining member inserted through the hole of the case (4;14), and a feeding spring (3;13), characterized in that the case (4) has feeding spring escape and rotation prevention ribs (5) provided in parallel to the antenna insertion direction in the vicinity of the hole; and the feeding spring (3) is engaged astride around the holder (2) such that in the assembled device the feeding spring is contacted with the feeding spring escape and rotation prevention ribs (5). The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein an inclination is formed at the tip portion of the ribs (5) in the direction for mounting the feeding spring (3). The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein a curvature (R) is formed at the tip portion of the ribs along the antenna insertion direction. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the ribs (5) are provided parallel to the antenna insertion direction at least at one point of one side in the vicinity of the hole. The antenna device according to claim 2, wherein the ribs (5) are provided parallel to the antenna insertion direction at least at one point of one side in the vicinity of the hole. A portable radio electronic appliance comprising the antenna device according to claim 1 or 2.

Inventors: KITAMURA TOSHIYASU, KITAMURA, TOSHIYASU
Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND CO LTD, MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: H01Q1
IPC codes: H01Q1, H04Q7, H04B1