ANTENNA CONNECTOR BUSHING AND COIL ASSEMBLY

Abstract: An antenna connector bushing for retaining antenna in a mounting such as a mobile phone characterised by: a body member (1) having a longitudinal axis (A) and including a fitting (M) whereby the body member (1) can be connected to a mounting; a seating (5) on the body member whereby an antenna coil can be mounted directly, or by way of a core assembly on which the antenna coil is mounted, the seating providing that the coil having been mounted on the body member (1) the seating provides for: axial location of the coil (11) relative to the body member (1); radial location of the coil (11) relative to the body member (1); and maintenance of electrical engagement between coil (11) and body member (1).

Description: ANTENNA CONNECTOR BUSHING AND COIL ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to an antenna connector bushing and coil assembly. It is particularly concerned with the provision of such an assembly to facilitate manufacture of a device such as an antenna incorporating an antenna such as mobile phone. BACKGROUND ART The manufacture of a device such as a mobile phone involves the assembly of a number of components and sub-assemblies and the enclosure of the resulting assembly in a relatively small housing. While progress in the field of miniaturisation of electronic and data processing components has led to the ability to readily incorporate a substantial part of the device within a small envelope. However some parts of the device has size requirements imposing constraints on what is usable in relation, for example, to the human hand (keyboard), relative spacing of mouth and ear (microphone and loudspeaker) and aerial (optimum size and configuration for operating frequency and receptivity). This invention is concerned with the provision of an antenna connector bushing and coil (which can also be referred to as a 'spring') assembly whereby the process of assembly is adapted to ensure that the attachment of one component to another provides for effective and unambiguous electrical connection. It further provides where necessary for the provision of electrical connectivity between components on assembly without a further manufacturing step such as crimping or soldering. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an antenna connector bushing comprising: a body member having a longitudinal axis and including means whereby the body member can be connected to a mounting; a seating on the body member whereby an antenna coil can be mounted directly/ or by way of a core assembly on which the antenna coil is mounted, the seating providing that the coil having been mounted on the body member the seating provides for: axial location of the coil relative to the body member; radial location of the coil relative to the body member; and maintenance of electrical engagement between coil and body member. According to a first preferred version of the first aspect of the present invention the seating includes a plug or socket element adapted for engagement with a complementary socket or plug element provided on an antenna coil for attachment to the body member. According to a second preferred version of the first aspect of the present invention or of the first preferred version thereof the seating includes an internal undercut or a grooved shoulder to receive a region of an antenna coil so as to provide for the maintenance of electrical engagement. According to a third preferred version of the first aspect of the present invention or of any of the preceding preferred versions thereof the member is machined from solid material or is moulded from a plastics material such as by injection moulding. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an antenna unit comprising an antenna coil connected to an antenna connector bushing according to the first aspect of the present invention or of any preferred version thereof. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile radio equipped with an antenna unit according to the second aspect of the present invention. The rigidity and positive locking provided by the snap on clip arrangement between the antenna connector bushing and the coil moulding provides a stable condition for sub assemblies and stops the respective components failing apart during storage, transport, handling and on the final over moulding and completion of the antenna. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of antenna connector bushings and related components of which: a first embodiment comprises: Figure 1 a side view of an antenna connector bushing with an integral clip with a flat shoulder restraint; Figure 2 a side view of the bushing of Figure 1 with integral clip with a flat shoulder restraint and protruding tail; Figure 3 a sectional view of Figure 1; and Figure 4 a side view of a complete antenna connector bushing and coil assembly; a second embodiment comprises: Figure 5 a side view of a antenna connector bushing with integral clip with a grooved shoulder restraint housing; Figure 6 a side view of the bushing of Figure 5 with integral clip grooved shoulder restraint and protruding tail; Figure 7 a sectional view of Figure 5; Figure 8 a side view of a core moulding with integral inverse clip arrangement to that on the associated connector bushing as shown in figures 5, 6 and 7; Figure 9 a sectional view of Figure 8; and Figure 10 a complete antenna connector bushing and coil assembly including the components described in connection with Figures 5 - 10; and A third embodiment comprises: Figure 11 a side view of an antenna connector bushing with an integral internal clip with grooved shoulder restraint housing; Figure 12 a side view of the bushing of Figure 11 with integral internal clip with grooved shoulder restraint and protruding tail; Figure 13 a sectional view of figure 11; Figure 14 a side view of a core moulding with external clip arrangement to that on the connector bushing as shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13, Figure 15 a sectional view of Figure 14, Figure 16 a complete antenna connector bushing assembly including the components described in connection with Figures 11 - 15. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First embodiment (Figures 1 - 4) Figures 1 - 4 variously show an antenna connector bushing (1) with a longitudinal axis A incorporating an integral clip or seating (2) comprising a lip (2A) and a flat shoulder restraint (5). The clip 2, by way of lip 2 A and restraint 5, serves to provide for alignment of an antenna coil coupled to the bushing 1 (as will be described hereafter) relative to the axis A. The arrangement provides for a coupled antenna to be located axially and radially and to ensure for effective electrical engagement between antenna and bushing on assembling the antenna to the bushing without a need for a further step of mechanical crimping or soldering. The bushing (1) is in this case a turned metal part but in an alternative version is formed as a moulded unit of plastics material. The bushing (1) is formed with a bore (4) (Figure 3) extending through the clip (2). The bushing (1) can further include (Figure 2) a tail (10), which protrudes through the clip (2). The clip (2) serves to retain (Figure 4) antenna spring (11) and core moulding (9) which is clipped over, and retained by, the integral clip (2), so eliminating the need for any further mechanical connection of antenna spring (11) to the bushing (1). Clip (2) on the end of the connector bushing (1) has a predetermined depth and diameter formed by an undercut (3). The size of the undercut (3) is determined by the diameter of the wire used to form the antenna spring (11). A detailed explanation of the remaining part of the antenna connector bushing (1), antenna spring (11) and core moulding (9) will not be given as the construction will vary with different antenna applications. Second embodiment (Figures 5 - 10) Figures 5 - 10 variously show antenna connector bushing (1) with an integral clip (2) and grooved shoulder restraint (6) for the antenna spring (11) (Figure 10). Groove 7 in shoulder restraint 6 serves to ensure that once the antenna spring (11) is assembled the groove (7) the assembly provides for direct contact between antenna spring (11) with the bushing (1) which so eliminating the need for mechanical crimping (or soldering) of an end section of the antenna spring (11) to the bushing (1). The clip (2) has a predetermined depth and diameter governed by undercut (3). Core moulding (9) (Figure 8) has an integral inverse clip (8) (whether included in injection moulded moulding (9) or a machined part) providing a snap fit over the integral clip (2) on bushing (1) as shown in Figure 10. The size of the integral clip (8) on the core moulding (9) and clip (2) on the bushing (1) are engineered so once connected together a rigid assembly results. The size of the groove (7) on the shoulder restraint (6) is determined by the diameter of wire used to form the antenna spring (11). The bushing (1) (Figure 7) is formed with a bore (4), which passes through the clip (2). Alternatively the bushing (1) can include (Figure 6) a tail (10), which protrudes from the clip (2). A detailed explanation of the formation of the remaining part of the antenna connector bushing (1). antenna spring (11) and core moulding assembly is not given as given as the construction will vary with different antenna applications. Third Embodiment (Figures 11 - 16) Figures 11 - 16 variously show an antenna connector bushing (1) with an integral internal undercut (3) and flat shoulder restraint (5). Internal undercut (3) is formed as part of the bushing (1). Once the antenna components are assembled (see Figure 16) a direct contact is established between the bushing (1) and antenna spring (11) which eliminates the need for mechanical crimping or soldering of the antenna spring (11) to the bushing (1). The external clip (13) on core moulding (9) has a predetermined depth and diameter, which fits into the internal undercut (3) on the antenna connector bushing (1) once the components are assembled (see Figure 16). The size of the external clip (13) on the core moulding (9) and internal undercut (3) on the bushing (1) are engineered so once connected together a rigid assembly is formed. The bushing (1) can be formed with a bore (4) which passes through the internal undercut (3). Alternatively the bushing can be manufactured with a tail (10), which protrudes form the internal undercut (3). A detailed explanation of the formation of the remaining part of the bushing (1), antenna spring (11) and core moulding assembly is not be given as the construction will vary with different antenna applications. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The invention provides for the fabrication of an antenna connector bushing in the form of a component, typically a machined part, including an integral snap on clip. The antenna connector bushing and coil moulding are constructed in such a way that the antenna spring (coil) and core assembly can be connected directly to the antenna connector bushing to provide a positive contact without the need for mechanical crimping or direct connection by soldering during assembly. This serves to provide a positive and rigid assembly. A positive direct contact between the antenna spring (coil) and the antenna connector bushing is created which is essential for electrical conductivity characteristics. The rigidity and positive locking provided by the snap on clip arrangement between an antenna connector bushing and the antenna coil moulding provides a stable assembly and stops the various components pulling apart whether, for example, during storage or transport or during handling or use.

Claims: CLAIMS An antenna connector bushing for retaining antenna in a mounting such as a mobile phone characterised by: a body member (1) having a longitudinal axis (A) and including a fitting (M) whereby the body member (1) can be connected to a mounting; a seating (5) on the body member whereby an antenna coil can be mounted directly, or by way of a core assembly on which the antenna coil is mounted, the seating () providing that the coil having been mounted on the body member (1) the seating provides for: axial location of the coil (11) relative to the body member (1); radial location of the coil (11) relative to the body member (1); and maintenance of electrical engagement between coil (11) and body member (1). An antenna connector bushing as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the seating (5) includes a plug or socket element (2A) adapted for engagement with a complementary socket or plug element provided on an antenna coil for attachment to the body member (1). An antenna connector bushing as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the seating (5) includes an internal undercut (3) or a grooved shoulder (7) to receive a region of an antenna coil so as to provide for the maintenance of electrical engagement. An antenna connector bushing as claimed in any proceeding claim characterised m that the body member (1) is machined from solid material or is moulded from a plastics material such as by injection moulding. 5 An antenna unit comprising an antenna coil (11) characterised by being connected to an antenna connector bushing (1) according to any of preceding claims 1 to 4. 6 An antenna unit comprising an antenna coil (11) characterised by being mounted on a core (9) connected to an antenna connector bushing (1) as claimed in any of preceding claims 1 to 4.

Inventors: GANESHMOORTHY DAVID, GANESHMOORTHY KANDIAH, GANESHMOORTHY RICHARD, GANESHMOORTHY, DAVID, GANESHMOORTHY, KANDIAH, GANESHMOORTHY, RICHARD
Applicants: GANESHMOORTHY DAVID, GANESHMOORTHY KANDIAH, GANESHMOORTHY RICHARD, GANESHMOORTHY, DAVID, GANESHMOORTHY, KANDIAH, GANESHMOORTHY, RICHARD
Application year: 2000
Main classification: H01Q1
IPC codes: H01Q1, H01R13