Patent Publication Number: US-8537058-B2

Title: Antenna assembly and electronic device using the same

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to an antenna assembly and an electronic device using the same. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     An electronic device capable of receiving digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) services, such as digital video broadcasting-terrestrial (DVB-T), is often provided with a TV antenna. However, the TV antenna is generally installed inside the electronic device, such that signal reception of the TV antenna is interfered. 
     Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the various drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electronic device as disclosed with an antenna assembly retracted. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1  with the antenna assembly extended. 
         FIG. 3  is an inverted view of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a slide mechanism of the antenna assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electronic device  100  as disclosed with an antenna assembly  20  retracted. The electronic device  100  includes a main body  10  and the antenna assembly  20 . The electronic device  100  may be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a mobile Internet device (MID), for example. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the electronic device  100  of  FIG. 1  with the antenna assembly  20  extended relative to the main body  10 . The main body  10  includes two opposite ends  12 , two opposite sides  14 , and a surface  16  connected with the two opposite ends  12  and the two opposite sides  14 . A receiving cavity  162  is further defined on the surface  16  and extends through one of the two opposite ends  12 . The receiving cavity  162  receives the antenna assembly  20 . 
       FIG. 3  is an inverted view of  FIG. 2 . The antenna assembly  20  includes a slide mechanism  22 , a chassis  24 , and an antenna  26 . The slide mechanism  22  includes a fixed plate  222 , a slide plate  224 , and an elastic element  226 . The fixed plate  222  is mounted in the receiving cavity  162  of the main body  10 . The slide plate  224  is slidably mounted on the fixed plate  222 . The elastic element  226  is installed between the fixed plate  222  and the slide plate  224 . In the exemplary embodiment, the elastic element  226  is a leaf spring. The chassis  24  is mounted on the slide plate  224  and includes a surface  242  facing the fixed plate  222 . The antenna  26  is installed on the surface  242 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the slide mechanism  22  of the antenna assembly  20  of  FIG. 2 . A slide rail  2222  is installed on each side of the fixed plate  222 . A slide portion  2242  is installed on each side of the slide plate  224 . The slide portion  2242  is further slidably placed over the slide rail  2222 , such that the slide plate  224  can slide along the slide rail  2222 . Two ends of the elastic element  226  are individually pivoted on the fixed plate  222  and the slide plate  224 . 
     The antenna  26  is contained between the fixed plate  222  and slide plate  224  when the chassis  24  is received in the receiving cavity  162 . In this state, the slide mechanism  22  is retracted and the elastic element  226  pivots opposite to the antenna  26 . The elastic element  226  resists the slide plate  224 , such that the slide plate  224  is located on one end of the receiving cavity  162  away from the antenna  26 . As a result, the chassis  24  is anchored in the receiving cavity  162  due to the resistance of the elastic element  226 . 
     The antenna  26  is exposed when the chassis  24  is pushed away from the receiving cavity  162  by external force. In this state, the slide mechanism  22  is extended and the elastic element  226  pivots toward the antenna  26 . The elastic element  226  is further compressed and then springs to release elasticity on the slide plate  224 . As a result, the elasticity can accelerate the chassis  24  to slide away from the receiving cavity  162 . 
     It is understood that the fixed plate  222  may be omitted, such that the slide plate  224  is directly slidably mounted on the receiving cavity  162 . The elastic element  226  is installed between the receiving cavity  162  and the slide plate  224 . The slide rail  2222  is installed on each side of the receiving cavity  162 . 
     The present disclosure provides an antenna assembly and an electronic device using the same. The antenna assembly is received in the electronic device and may extend from the electronic device to enhance signal reception. 
     It is to be further understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structures and functions of various embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.