Patent Abstract:
An information handling system may include a first member, a second member hingedly coupled to the first member via a hinge, a coaxial cable, and a grounding jacket. The coaxial cable may have a ground sheath and a signal wire internal to the ground sheath, wherein an axis of the signal wire is substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the hinge and wherein the coaxial cable comprises an exposed portion in which the ground sheath is exposed externally to the coaxial cable. The grounding jacket may be mechanically coupled to the first member and the second member, wherein the grounding jacket may be configured to mechanically support the coaxial cable and electrically couple to an electrically conductive portion of at least one of the first member and the second member and to the ground sheath at the exposed portion in order to create an electrically conductive path between the ground sheath and the electrically conductive portion via the grounding jacket.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates in general to information handling systems, and more particularly to grounding an antenna cable used in an information handling system and providing mechanical strain relief to an antenna cable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
     An information handling system may comprise a radio-frequency transceiver for wireless communication to and from the information handling system via mobile telephony (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, Long-Term Evolution, etc.), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, and/or other radio-frequency communication technologies. Effective communication via radio-frequency transmissions typically requires the use of one or more antennas coupled to the radio-frequency transceiver. 
     Existing approaches to placing and coupling antennas to radio-frequency transceivers in information handling systems have numerous disadvantages. For example, antennas are often coupled to transceivers via coaxial cables. In existing approaches, often the return path of an antenna coaxial cable is relatively weak, relying on a small mechanical interface of a U.FL/IPEX coaxial connector to a wireless transceiver. Such weak antenna cable grounding may increase susceptibility to electromagnetic noise within the antenna and antenna cable. 
     In addition, in existing approaches, an antenna may often be coupled to a coaxial cable laced along the axis of the hinge of a notebook computer, and is grounded by exposing portions of the ground sheath of the coaxial cable and soldering such portions to a grounded portion of the chassis of the information handling system. Such soldering adds a process step to manufacture of an information handling system, as soldering to provide sufficient electrical coupling of the ground sheath of the coaxial cable to a ground voltage may be costly. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the disadvantages and problems associated with grounding of antenna cables in information handling systems may be reduced or eliminated. 
     In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a first member, a second member hingedly coupled to the first member via a hinge, a coaxial cable, and a grounding jacket. The coaxial cable may have a ground sheath and a signal wire internal to the ground sheath, wherein an axis of the signal wire is substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the hinge and wherein the coaxial cable comprises an exposed portion in which the ground sheath is exposed externally to the coaxial cable. The grounding jacket may be mechanically coupled to the first member and the second member, wherein the grounding jacket may be configured to mechanically support the coaxial cable and electrically couple to an electrically conductive portion of at least one of the first member and the second member and to the ground sheath at the exposed portion in order to create an electrically conductive path between the ground sheath and the electrically conductive portion via the grounding jacket. 
     In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a circuit board, an information handling resource mechanically and electrically coupled to the circuit board, coaxial cable, and a bracket. The coaxial cable may comprise a first connector configured to mate with a corresponding second connector of the information handling resource. The bracket may be configured to mechanically couple to the circuit board, such that when mechanically coupled to the circuit board, the bracket is further configured to apply a first force to the first connector to maintain connectivity between the first connector and the second connector. 
     In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a circuit board, an information handling resource mechanically and electrically coupled to the circuit board; coaxial cable, and a bracket. The coaxial cable may include a first connector configured to mate with a corresponding second connector of the information handling resource, further wherein the coaxial cable comprises an exposed portion in which a ground sheath of the coaxial cable is exposed externally to the coaxial cable. The bracket may be configured to mechanically couple to the circuit board, such that when mechanically coupled to the circuit board, the bracket is further configured to apply a force to maintain electrical coupling between a ground plane of the circuit board and the ground sheath at the exposed portion. 
     Technical advantages of the present disclosure may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, description and claims included herein. The objects and advantages of the embodiments will be realized and achieved at least by the elements, features, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory and are not restrictive of the claims set forth in this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a functional block diagram of selected components of an example information handling system, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exterior view of an example information handling system, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C  illustrate different perspective views of an example antenna cable carrier of a keyboard assembly of an information handling system, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an isolated view of an example grounding jacket, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate different views of a portion of a circuit board for coupling an antenna cable to a wireless network interface, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example cable, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Preferred embodiments and their advantages are best understood by reference to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , wherein like numbers are used to indicate like and corresponding parts. 
     For the purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a consumer electronic device, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (“CPU”) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input/output (“I/O”) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communication between the various hardware components. 
     For the purposes of this disclosure, computer-readable media may include any instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retain data and/or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable media may include, without limitation, storage media such as a direct access storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk), a sequential access storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disk, CD-ROM, DVD, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or flash memory; as well as communications media such as wires, optical fibers, microwaves, radio waves, and other electromagnetic and/or optical carriers; and/or any combination of the foregoing. For the purposes of this disclosure, information handling resources may broadly refer to any component system, device or apparatus of an information handling system, including without limitation processors, service processors, basic input/output systems (BIOSs), buses, memories, I/O devices and/or interfaces, storage resources, network interfaces, motherboards, and/or any other components and/or elements of an information handling system. 
     For the purposes of this disclosure, the terms “wireless transmissions” and “wireless communication” may be used to refer to all types of electromagnetic communications which do not require a wire, cable, or other types of conduits. Examples of wireless transmissions which may be used include, but are not limited to, short-range wireless communication technologies (e.g., proximity card, Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, ISO 14443, ISO 15693, or other suitable standard), personal area networks (PAN) (e.g., Bluetooth), local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), narrowband personal communications services (PCS), mobile telephony technologies, broadband PCS, circuit-switched cellular, cellular digital packet data (CDPD), radio frequencies, such as the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1.9 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands, infra-red and laser. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a functional block diagram of selected components of an example information handling system  100 , in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, information handling system  100  may be a personal computer (e.g., a desktop computer or a portable computer). In other embodiments, information handling system  100  may comprise a mobile device (e.g., smart phone, a tablet computing device, a handheld computing device, a personal digital assistant, or any other device that may be readily transported on a person of a user of such mobile device). 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , information handling system  100  may include a processor  103 , a memory  104  communicatively coupled to processor  103 , a storage resource  110  communicatively coupled to processor  103 , a wireless network interface  106  communicatively coupled to processor  103 , a user interface  114  communicatively coupled to processor  103 , and an antenna  108  coupled to wireless network interface  106  via an antenna cable  112 . 
     Processor  103  may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data, and may include, without limitation, a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data. In some embodiments, processor  103  may interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data stored in memory  104 , storage resource  110 , and/or another component of information handling system  100 . 
     Memory  104  may be communicatively coupled to processor  103  and may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to retain program instructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readable media). Memory  104  may include random access memory (RAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a PCMCIA card, flash memory, magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage, or any suitable selection and/or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retains data after power to its associated information handling system  100  is turned off. 
     Wireless network interface  106  may include any suitable system, apparatus, or device operable to serve as an interface between its associated information handling system  100  and a network, such that information handling system  100  may communicate signals to and from wireless network interface  106  via wireless transmissions (e.g., mobile telephony, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile broadband telephony). Accordingly, wireless network interface  106  may include a radio-frequency transceiver and/or other components configured to communicate to and from wireless network interface  106  via wireless transmissions. 
     Antenna  108  may comprise any system, device, or apparatus configured to convert electric power into radio waves, and vice versa. As shown in  FIG. 1 , antenna  108  may be coupled to wireless network interface  106  via a cable  112 . In some embodiments, cable  112  may comprise a coaxial cable. Turning briefly to  FIG. 6 , in embodiments in which cable  112  is a coaxial cable, cable  112  may comprise a signal wire  602  of conductive material (e.g., copper, aluminum) for carrying an electrical or electronic signal which is surrounded by a layer of insulative material  604  which is in turn surrounded by a ground sheath  606  of conductive material (e.g., copper, aluminum) which may serve as an electrical return path for the electrical or electronic signal communicated via the signal wire. Ground sheath  606  itself may also be surrounded by an electrical insulator  608 . Each end of cable  112  may be terminated by a connector for coupling cable  112  to antenna  108  and wireless network interface  106 . For example, in some embodiments cable  112  may be terminated at one end with a U.FL connector (also known as an IPEX, IPAX, IPX, AMC, MHF, or UMCC connector) for electrically and mechanically coupling cable  112  to wireless network interface  106 . 
     In some embodiments, antenna  108  may itself comprise a coaxial cable, and in such embodiments, antenna  108  and cable  112  may comprise the same coaxial cable. 
     Storage resource  110  may include a system, device, or apparatus configured to store data. Storage resource  110  may include one or more hard disk drives, magnetic tape libraries, optical disk drives, magneto-optical disk drives, solid state storage drives, compact disk drives, compact disk arrays, disk array controllers, and/or any other systems, apparatuses or devices configured to store data. In certain embodiments, storage resource  110  may include one or more storage enclosures configured to hold and/or power one or more of such devices. In the embodiments represented by  FIG. 1 , storage resource  110  may reside within information handling system  100 . However, in other embodiments, storage resource  110  may reside external to information handling system  100  (e.g., may be coupled to information handling system  100  via a network). 
     User interface  114  may comprise any instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities by which a user may interact with information handling system  100 . For example, user interface  114  may permit a user to input data and/or instructions into information handling system  100  (e.g., via a keypad, keyboard, touch screen, microphone, camera, and/or other data input device), and/or otherwise manipulate information handling system  100  and its associated components. User interface  114  may also permit information handling system  100  to communicate data to a user (e.g., via a display device, speaker, and/or other data output device). As shown in  FIG. 1 , user interface  114  may include one or more of a display  116 , microphone  118 , camera  120 , and speaker  124 . 
     Display  116  may comprise any suitable system, device, or apparatus configured to display human-perceptible graphical data and/or alphanumeric data to a user. For example, in some embodiments, display  116  may comprise a liquid crystal display. 
     Microphone  118  may comprise any system, device, or apparatus configured to convert sound incident at microphone  118  to an electrical signal that may be processed by processor  103 . In some embodiments, microphone  118  may include a capacitive microphone (e.g., an electrostatic microphone, a condenser microphone, an electret microphone, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMs) microphone, etc.) wherein such sound is converted to an electrical signal using a diaphragm or membrane having an electrical capacitance that varies as based on sonic vibrations received at the diaphragm or membrane. 
     Camera  120  may comprise any system, device, or apparatus configured to record images (moving or still) into one or more electrical signals that may be processed by processor  103 . 
     Speaker  124  may comprise any system, device, or apparatus configured to produce sound in response to electrical audio signal input. 
     In addition to processor  103 , memory  104 , wireless network interface  106 , antenna  108 , storage resource  110 , and user interface  114 , information handling system  100  may include one or more other information handling resources. Such an information handling resource may include any component system, device or apparatus of an information handling system, including without limitation, a processor, bus, memory, I/O device and/or interface, storage resource (e.g., hard disk drives), network interface, electro-mechanical device (e.g., fan), display, power supply, and/or any portion thereof. An information handling resource may comprise any suitable package or form factor, including without limitation an integrated circuit package or a printed circuit board having mounted thereon one or more integrated circuits. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exterior view of example information handling system  100 , in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Although  FIG. 2  depicts information handling system  100  as a laptop or notebook computer, information handling system  100  may comprise any type of information handling system (e.g., a mobile device sized and shaped to be readily transported and carried on a person of a user of information handling system  100 , a desktop computer, a tower computer, a server, etc.), and methods and systems disclosed, described, and claimed herein may not be limited to application to a laptop or notebook computer. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , information handling system  100  may include a display assembly  202  and a keyboard assembly  204  hingedly coupled via one or more hinges  206 . Each of display assembly  202  and keyboard assembly  204  may be integral parts of a chassis or case for information handling system  100 . Each of display assembly  202  and keyboard assembly  204  may have an enclosure made from one or more suitable materials, including without limitation plastic, steel, and/or aluminum. Although information handling system  100  is shown in  FIG. 2  as having certain components (e.g., display assembly  202 , keyboard assembly  204 , and hinge  206 ), information handling system  100  may include any other suitable components which may not have been depicted in  FIG. 2  for the purposes of clarity and exposition. In operation, information handling system  100  may be translated between a closed position (e.g., a position of display assembly  202  relative to keyboard assembly  204  such that display assembly  202  substantially overlays keyboard assembly  204 , or vice versa) and an open position (e.g., a position of display assembly  202  relative to keyboard assembly  204  such that display assembly  202  does not substantially overlay keyboard assembly  204 , or vice versa, such as when the angle formed by display assembly  202  and keyboard assembly  204  at hinge  206  is substantially non zero). 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate different views of an antenna cable carrier  300  of keyboard assembly  204  with some portions of keyboard assembly  204  cut away, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of exposition, antenna cable carrier  300  is shown as an integral part of keyboard assembly  204 . In other embodiments, antenna cable carrier  300  could be integral to display assembly  202 , or a hinge assembly for coupling display assembly  202  to keyboard assembly  204 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , antenna cable carrier  300  may be configured to carry one or more antenna cables  112  (e.g., cables  112   a ,  112   b ) such that the axial length of such antenna cables  112  runs substantially perpendicular to the axial length of hinge  206 . In the embodiments represented by  FIGS. 3A and 3B , one or more cables  112  may comprise a coaxial cable. Also as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , antenna cable carrier  300  may include a grounding jacket  302  for grounding a ground sheath (e.g., ground sheath  606  as shown in  FIG. 6 ) of one or more cables  112  to portions of display assembly  202  and/or keyboard assembly  204 , as described in greater detail below. 
     In addition to antenna cables, antenna cable carrier  300  may be configured to carry a ground wire  312 , as shown in  FIG. 3C . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3C , wire  312  may comprise an insulated wire electrically coupled to a ground potential. A portion of the antenna cable  112  (e.g., insulation  608  as shown in  FIG. 6 ) may be exposed to expose the ground sheath (e.g., ground sheath  606  as shown in  FIG. 6 ) thereof, and a corresponding portion of ground wire  312  may be exposed, such that these exposed portions may be electrically coupled directly to one another or via a tap  314  of conductive material between the two. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an isolated view of an example grounding jacket  302 , in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Grounding jacket  302  may be constructed from any suitable electrically conductive material (e.g., copper, aluminum). Referring to  FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4 , grounding jacket  302  may include a web  313 , grounding clips  304  and  306 , fingers  308 , flanges  314 , and openings  310 . Grounding clips  304  and  306  may comprise U-shaped or hook-shaped projections from web  313  configured to mechanically hold cables  112  in place, as well as electrically couple to exposed portions of the respective ground sheaths (e.g., ground sheath  606  as shown in  FIG. 6 ) of cables  112 . One or more flanges  314  may extend perpendicularly from web  313 , and may include openings  310  for fastening (e.g., via a screw or other suitable fastener) grounding jacket  302  to antenna cable carrier  300 . Also extending from the same edge of web  313  as flanges  314  may be fingers  308 . Fingers may be configured to electrically couple to an electrically conductive portion of display assembly  202  (e.g., metal integral to display assembly  202 ) which is coupled to a ground voltage. 
     In operation, grounding jacket  302  may be placed within antenna cable carrier  300  so as to create a spring force to maintain electrical contact between grounding clips  304 ,  306  and exposed portions of the respective grounding sheaths (e.g., ground sheath  606  as shown in  FIG. 6 ) of cables  112 . In addition, grounding jacket  302  may be placed within antenna cable carrier  300  such that fingers  308  create a spring force against an electrically conductive portion of display assembly  202  which is coupled to a ground voltage. As a result, grounding jacket  302  may ground a grounding sheath (e.g., ground sheath  606  as shown in  FIG. 6 ) of a cable  108  substantially along the length of the cable  108  without the use of solder. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate different views of a portion of a circuit board  502  for coupling one or more antenna cables  112  to wireless network interface  106 , in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 5A  depicts a top-down plan view, while  FIG. 5B  depicts a side elevation view. 
     Circuit board  502  may include any suitable system, device, or apparatus operable to mechanically support and electrically couple electronic components (e.g., packaged integrated circuits) making up an information handling system. For example, circuit board  502  may be used as part of a motherboard for information handling system  100 . As used herein, the term “circuit board” includes printed circuit boards (PCBs), printed wiring boards (PWBs), etched wiring boards, and/or any other board or similar physical structure operable to mechanically support and electrically couple electronic components. Circuit board  502  may include a plurality of pads and traces. Pads may comprise a conductive material and may be formed on a surface of circuit board  502 . Further, each pad may be operable to receive a pin of an electronic component (e.g., a packaged integrated circuit or other information handling resource) and provide electrical connectivity between the pin and one or more traces. Traces may comprise a conductive material and may be formed on a surface of circuit board  502 , or in a layer of circuit board not visible from the surface thereof. Further, each trace may be operable to provide conductive pathways between electronic components mounted to pads. 
     A circuit board  502  is not limited to having components on just one side thereof. Traces and pads may be formed on either side of circuit board  502 . In addition, circuit board  502  may comprise a plurality of conductive layers separated and supported by layers of insulating material laminated together, and traces may be disposed on and/or in any of such conductive layers. Connectivity between conductive elements disposed on and/or in various layers of circuit board  502  may be provided by conductive vias. 
     The various pads, traces, and vias may comprise silver, copper, aluminum, lead, nickel, other metals, metal alloys, and/or any other conductive material that may readily conduct electrical current. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , wireless network interface  106  may be mechanically mounted and electrically coupled to circuit board  502 . Although not explicitly shown, multiple pins of wireless network interface  106  may electrically couple to corresponding pads of circuit board  502 . Wireless network interface  106  may also include a one or more connectors  518  for mating with respective corresponding connectors  516 , wherein such connectors  516  each terminate a respective antenna cable  112  (e.g., cables  112   a  and  112   b ), thus coupling wireless network interface  106  to antenna cables  112  (which may in turn be coupled to corresponding antennas  108 ). One or more of connectors  516  and  518  may comprise a U.FL connector (also known as an IPEX, IPAX, IPX, AMC, MHF, or UMCC connector). 
     To provide for mechanical strain relief and grounding of antenna cables  112 , a bracket  504  may be utilized. Bracket  504  may comprise an electrically conductive material (e.g., copper or aluminum). Bracket  504  may include a connector portion  508 , an intermediate portion  510 , a ground plane portion  506 , and a fastener hole  512 . 
     Fastener hole  512  may be configured to receive a screw or other fastener for mechanically attaching bracket  504  to circuit board  502  via a corresponding hole or other receptacle of circuit board  502 . In some embodiments, such hole or other receptacle of circuit board  502  may be configured such that when a screw or other fastener is inserted into such hole or other receptacle, such screw or other fastener is electrically coupled to a ground plane of circuit board  502 . 
     Prior to attachment of bracket  504  to circuit board  502 , a portion of each cable  112  may be stripped to expose the ground sheath (e.g., ground sheath  606  as shown in  FIG. 6 ) of cable  112  at such portion. When bracket  504  is mechanically coupled to circuit board  502 , ground plane portion  506  may apply pressure to cables  112  such that the exposed ground sheaths (e.g., ground sheath  606  as shown in  FIG. 6 ) of cables  112  are electrically coupled to a ground plane  520  of circuit board  502 . For example, in some embodiments, circuit board  502  may have traces  524  coupled to a ground plane  520  by vias  522 , such that exposed ground sheaths (e.g., ground sheath  606  as shown in  FIG. 6 ) of cables  112  are coupled to ground plane  520  by way of ground plane portion  506  applying pressure to press exposed ground sheaths against traces  524 . 
     Intermediate portion  510  and connector portion  508  may be configured such that when bracket  504  is attached to circuit board  502 , connector portion  508  applies a downward force on connectors  516 , further securing connectors  516  to corresponding connectors  518 . 
     Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. For example, although the present disclosure contemplates a hinge coupling a keyboard assembly to a display assembly, some embodiments may include a hinge coupling any two mechanical members to each other.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7