Abstract:
There is provided a film type antenna including: a carrier film; a conductive pattern provided on one surface of the carrier film; and a conductive buffer layer provided on one surface of the conductive pattern.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 2008-0048156 filed on May 23, 2008, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to film type antennas and mobile communication terminals, and more particularly, to a film type antenna that has a contact structure to stably connect the film type antenna, formed integrally with a case of a mobile communication terminal, with a board inside the mobile communication terminal, and a mobile communication terminal using the film type antenna. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Recently, mobile wireless terminals that separately use various kinds of bandwidths, such as CDMA, PDA, DCS, and GSM, or use all of the bandwidths, have come into widespread use. Terminals that have various kinds of functions and designs have appeared. As the terminals have gradually been reduced in size, thickness, and weight, the diversity of the functions of the terminals has attracted attention. Therefore, emphasis is placed on reducing the volume of the terminals while the terminals maintain the function of an antenna. 
         [0006]    Particularly, in a case of an antenna, for example, a rod antenna or a helical antenna that protrudes from the outside of a terminal by a predetermined length has excellent characteristics because of omnidirectional radiation. However, the rod antenna or the helical antenna of the terminal is most susceptible to damage when it falls down, and reduces portability. Therefore, research has been conducted on an in-molding antenna that is formed integrally with a case of a mobile communication terminal. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An aspect of the present invention provides a film type antenna that has a contact structure to stably connect the film type antenna, formed integrally with a case of a mobile communication terminal, with a circuit of a board inside the mobile communication terminal, and a mobile communication terminal having the film type antenna. 
         [0008]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a film type antenna including: a carrier film; a conductive pattern provided on one surface of the carrier film; and a conductive buffer layer provided on one surface of the conductive pattern. 
         [0009]    The conductive buffer layer may be provided at a contact area where the conductive pattern is connected to an external circuit. 
         [0010]    The conductive buffer layer may be a conductive rubber. 
         [0011]    The film type antenna may further include an adhesive layer provided between the conductive pattern and the conductive buffer layer. 
         [0012]    The adhesive layer may be copper foil tape. 
         [0013]    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile communication terminal including: a carrier film; a conductive pattern provided on one surface of the carrier film; a conductive buffer layer provided on one surface of the conductive pattern; and a housing provided integrally with the carrier film. 
         [0014]    The conductive buffer layer may be provided at a contact area where the conductive pattern is connected to an external circuit. 
         [0015]    The conductive buffer layer may be conductive rubber. 
         [0016]    The mobile communication terminal may further include an adhesive layer provided between the conductive pattern and the conductive buffer layer. 
         [0017]    The adhesive layer may be copper foil tape. 
         [0018]    The conductive pattern may be provided between the carrier film and the housing. 
         [0019]    The carrier film may be provided on an outer surface of the housing. 
         [0020]    The conductive buffer layer may be provided between the conductive pattern and the housing. 
         [0021]    The mobile communication terminal may further include a connector in contact with the conductive buffer layer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The above and other aspects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a film type antenna according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a film type antenna according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mobile communication terminal according to still another exemplary embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mobile communication terminal according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a film type antenna according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a film type antenna  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention may include a carrier film  110 , a conductive pattern  120 , and a conductive buffer layer  130 . 
         [0030]    The carrier film  110  may be formed of a material that is appropriate to perform in-molding labeling (IML). Specifically, the carrier film  110  that has the conductive pattern  120  formed on one surface thereof is inserted into a mold for manufacturing a housing of a mobile communication terminal, synthetic resins used to form the housing of the mobile communication terminal are injected into the mold, and the housing are molded from the synthetic resins at the appropriate temperature and pressure. Therefore, the material that forms the carrier film  110  needs to be material that does not undergo significant deformation under the pressure and temperature during the in-molding labeling, and at the same time, can be formed integrally with the housing of the mobile communication terminal. In this embodiment, the carrier film  110  may include a thin, insulating polymer material. 
         [0031]    The conductive pattern  120  may be an antenna pattern that is formed on one surface of the carrier film  110 . 
         [0032]    The conductive pattern  120  may be formed by using various kinds of methods. First, a conductive pattern may be printed onto the conductive ink carrier film  110  by using conductive ink. Alternatively, a desired pattern may be directly formed on the carrier film by sputtering or evaporation. The conductive pattern  120  may be a conductive pattern that is formed of previously manufactured metal foil which is then attached to the carrier film  110 . 
         [0033]    The conductive pattern  120  includes a power feed terminal, and may also include a connection terminal for providing an electrical connection to an external circuit, such as a ground terminal. In this embodiment, the power feed terminal may be a contact area where the conductive pattern is connected to an external power feed line. 
         [0034]    The conductive buffer layer  130  may be formed at the contact area where the conductive pattern  120  can be connected to the external circuit. That is, the conductive buffer layer  130  may be formed over the area of the conductive pattern where the power feed terminal is formed. 
         [0035]    In order to connect the conductive pattern  120  to a board, a connector may be used. The conductive buffer layer  130  is formed over an area where the connector is in contact with the conductive pattern. The conductive buffer layer  130  may serve as a buffer between the connector and the conductive pattern. The use of the conductive buffer layer  130  can improve contact stability between the connector and the conductive pattern. 
         [0036]    The conductive buffer layer  130  may have conductivity since the conductive buffer layer  130  electrically connects the connector and the conductive pattern to each other. The conductive buffer layer  130  may be formed of a material having predetermined elasticity so as to improve the contact stability between the connector and the conductive pattern. 
         [0037]    In this embodiment, the conductive buffer layer  130  may be conductive rubber. The conductive rubber features both conductivity and elasticity, making it suitable for use as the conductive buffer layer  130 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a film type antenna according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a film type antenna  200  according to this embodiment may include a carrier film  210 , a conductive pattern  220 , a conductive buffer layer  230 , and an adhesive layer  240 . 
         [0040]    The carrier film  210  may be formed of a material that is appropriate to perform in-molding labeling (IML). Specifically, the carrier film  210  that has the conductive pattern  220  formed on one surface thereof is inserted into a mold for manufacturing a housing of a mobile communication terminal, synthetic resins used to form the housing of a mobile communication terminal are injected into the mold, and the housing is molded from the synthetic resins at the appropriate temperature and pressure. Therefore, the material that forms the carrier film  210  needs to be material that does not undergo significant deformation under the pressure and temperature during the in-molding labeling, and at the same time, can be formed integrally with the housing of the mobile communication terminal. In this embodiment, the carrier film  210  may include a thin, insulating polymer material. 
         [0041]    The conductive pattern  220  may be an antenna pattern that is formed on the one surface of the carrier film  210 . 
         [0042]    The conductive pattern  220  may be formed by using various kinds of methods. A conductive pattern may be printed onto the carrier film  210  by using conductive ink. Alternatively, a desired pattern may be directly formed on the carrier film by sputtering or evaporation. The conductive pattern  220  may be a conductive pattern that is formed of previously manufactured metal foil which is then attached to the carrier film  210 . 
         [0043]    The conductive pattern  220  includes a power feed terminal, and may also include a connection terminal for providing an electrical connection to an external circuit, such as a ground terminal. In this embodiment, the power feed terminal may be a contact area where the conductive pattern is connected to an external power feed line. 
         [0044]    The conductive buffer layer  230  may be formed over the contact area where the conductive pattern  220  can be connected to the external circuit. That is, the conductive buffer layer  230  may be formed at an area where the power feed terminal of the conductive pattern is formed. 
         [0045]    A connector may be used to connect the conductive pattern  220  to a board. The conductive buffer layer  230  may be formed over the area where the connector is in contact with the conductive pattern. The conductive buffer layer  230  may serve as a buffer between the connector and the conductive pattern. The use of the conductive buffer layer  230  can improve contact stability between the connector and the conductive pattern. 
         [0046]    The conductive buffer layer  230  may have conductivity since the conductive layer  230  electrically connects the connector and the conductive pattern to each other. Further, the conductive buffer layer  230  may have predetermined elasticity so as to improve the contact stability between the connector and the conductive pattern. 
         [0047]    In this embodiment, the conductive buffer layer  230  may be conductive rubber. The conductive rubber features both conductivity and elasticity, making it suitable for use as the conductive buffer layer. 
         [0048]    The adhesive layer  240  may be formed between the conductive pattern  220  and the conductive buffer layer  230 . The adhesive layer  240  increases adhesive strength between the conductive pattern  220  and the conductive buffer layer  230 , thereby preventing separation of the conductive buffer layer  230  from the conductive pattern  220  during the in-molding labeling. 
         [0049]    In this embodiment, metal foil tape may be used as the adhesive layer  240 . 
         [0050]    When the metal foil tape is used, copper foil tape  240  may be applied to the conductive pattern  220 , and the conductive rubber  230  may be applied to the copper foil tape. The copper foil tape has conductivity, and can strengthen the function of the conductive buffer layer  230 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mobile communication terminal according to still another exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a mobile communication terminal  300  according to this embodiment may include a carrier film  310 , a conductive pattern  320 , a conductive buffer layer  330 , and a housing  350  of the mobile communication terminal. 
         [0053]    The carrier film  310  may be formed of a material that is appropriate to perform in-molding labeling (IML). Specifically, the carrier film  310  that has the conductive pattern  320  formed on one surface thereof is inserted into a mold for manufacturing the housing of the mobile communication terminal, synthetic resins used to form the housing of the mobile communication terminal are injected into the mold, and the housing is molded from the synthetic resins at the appropriate temperature and pressure. Therefore, the material that forms the carrier film  310  needs to be a material that does not undergo significant deformation under the pressure and temperature during the in-molding labeling, and at the same time, can be formed integrally with the housing of the mobile communication terminal. In this embodiment, the carrier film  310  may include a thin insulating polymer material. 
         [0054]    The conductive pattern  320  may be an antenna pattern that is formed on one surface of the carrier film  310 . 
         [0055]    The conductive pattern  320  may be formed by using various kinds of methods. A conductive pattern may be printed onto the carrier film  310  by using conductive ink. Alternatively, a desired pattern may be directly formed on the carrier film by sputtering or evaporation. The conductive pattern  320  may be a conductive pattern that is formed of previously manufactured metal foil which is then attached to the carrier film  310 . 
         [0056]    The conductive pattern  320  includes a power feed terminal, and may also include a connection terminal for providing an electrical connection to an external circuit, such as a ground terminal. In this embodiment, the power feed terminal may be a contact area where the conductive pattern is connected to an external power feed line. 
         [0057]    The conductive buffer layer  330  may be formed over the contact area where the conductive pattern  320  can be connected to the external circuit. That is, the conductive buffer layer  330  may be formed over the area where the power feed terminal of the conductive pattern is formed. 
         [0058]    A connector may be used to connect the conductive pattern  320  to a board. The conductive buffer layer  330  is formed over the area where the connector is in contact with the conductive pattern. The conductive buffer layer  330  may serve as a buffer between the connector and the conductive pattern. The use of the buffer layer  330  can improve contact stability between the connector and the conductive pattern. 
         [0059]    The conductive buffer layer  330  may have conductivity since the conductive buffer layer  330  electrically connects the connector and the conductive pattern to each other. Further, the conductive buffer layer  330  may have a material having predetermined elasticity so as to improve the contact stability between the connector and the conductive pattern. 
         [0060]    In this embodiment, the conductive buffer layer  330  may be conductive rubber. The conductive rubber features both conductivity and elasticity, making it suitable for use as the conductive buffer layer. 
         [0061]    The housing  350  of the mobile communication terminal may be manufactured by the in-molding labeling. That is, the carrier film that has the conductive pattern and the conductive buffer layer formed thereon is inserted into the mold for manufacturing the housing, and synthetic resins used to form the housing are injected into the mold, thereby manufacturing the housing. At this time, the carrier film  310  may be formed integrally with the housing  350 , and be formed on the surface of the housing. 
         [0062]    In this embodiment, the carrier film  310  may be formed on an outer surface of the housing  350 . The conductive pattern  320  and the conductive buffer layer  330  may be formed between the housing  350  and the carrier film  310 . 
         [0063]    In this embodiment, the mobile communication terminal may further include a connector  360 . The connector  360  may connect a board  370  with the conductive pattern  320  of the antenna that is formed on the surface of the housing  350  of the mobile communication terminal. The connector  360  may have predetermined elasticity. 
         [0064]    The connector  360  may be fixed to the housing when the housing  350  of the mobile communication terminal is formed by the in-molding labeling. 
         [0065]    Like this embodiment, when the conductive pattern  320  is formed on the outside of the housing  350  of the mobile communication terminal, and the connector  360  is used to connect the conductive pattern  320  to the board  370  inside the housing, the conductive pattern  320  on the surface of the housing may be deformed by the elasticity of the connector  360 . In this embodiment, the conductive buffer layer  330  is formed over the area of the conductive pattern that is in contact with the connector, thereby reducing a physical force that is directly applied to the conductive pattern due to the elasticity of the connector  360 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mobile communication terminal according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         [0067]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a mobile communication terminal  400  according to this embodiment may include a carrier film  410 , a conductive pattern  420 , a conductive buffer layer  430 , an adhesive layer  440 , and a housing  450  of the mobile communication terminal. 
         [0068]    The carrier film  410  may be formed of a material that is appropriate to perform in-molding labeling (IML). Specifically, the carrier film  410  that has the conductive pattern  420  formed on one surface thereof is inserted into a mold for manufacturing the housing of the mobile communication terminal, synthetic resins used to form the housing of the mobile communication terminal are injected into the mold, and the housing is molded from the synthetic resins at the appropriate temperature and pressure. The material that forms the carrier film  410  needs to be a material that does not undergo significant deformation under the pressure and temperature during the in-molding labeling, and at the same time, can be formed integrally with the housing of the mobile communication terminal. In this embodiment, the carrier film  410  may include a thin insulating polymer material. 
         [0069]    The conductive pattern  420  may be an antenna pattern that is formed on one surface of the carrier film  410 . 
         [0070]    The conductive pattern  420  may be formed by using various kinds of methods. First, a conductive pattern may be printed onto the carrier film  410  by using conductive ink. Alternatively, a desired pattern may be directly formed on the carrier film by sputtering or evaporation. The conductive pattern  420  may be a conductive pattern that is previously manufactured metal foil which is then attached to the carrier film  410 . 
         [0071]    The conductive pattern  420  includes a power feed terminal, and may also include a connection terminal for providing an electrical connection to an external circuit, such as a ground terminal. In this embodiment, the power feed terminal may be a contact area where the conductive pattern is connected to an external power feed line. 
         [0072]    The conductive buffer layer  430  may be formed at the contact area where the conductive pattern  420  can be connected to the external circuit. That is, the conductive buffer layer  430  may be formed at the area where the power feed terminal of the conductive pattern is formed. 
         [0073]    A connector may be used to connect the conductive pattern  420  to a board. The conductive buffer layer  430  is formed at the area where the connector is in contact with the conductive pattern. The conductive buffer layer  430  may serve as a buffer between the connector and the conductive pattern. The use of the buffer layer  430  can improve contact stability between the connector and the conductive pattern. 
         [0074]    The conductive buffer layer  430  may have conductivity since the conductive buffer layer  430  electrically connects the connector and the conductive pattern to each other. Further, the conductive buffer layer  430  may be formed of a material having predetermined elasticity so as to improve the contact stability between the connector and the conductive pattern. 
         [0075]    In this embodiment, the conductive buffer layer  430  may be conductive rubber. The conductive rubber features both conductivity and elasticity, making it suitable for use as the conductive buffer layer. 
         [0076]    The adhesive layer  440  may be formed between the conductive pattern  420  and the conductive buffer layer  430 . The adhesive layer  440  improves adhesive strength between the conductive pattern  420  and the conductive buffer layer  430 , thereby preventing separation of the conductive buffer layer  430  from the conductive pattern  420  during the in-molding labeling. 
         [0077]    In this embodiment, copper foil tape may be used as the adhesive layer  440 . 
         [0078]    When the copper foil tape is used, the copper foil tape  440  may be applied to the conductive pattern  420 , and the conductive buffer layer  430  may be applied to the copper foil tape. The copper foil tape has conductivity, and can strengthen the function of the conductive buffer layer  430 . 
         [0079]    The housing  450  of the mobile communication terminal may be formed by the in-molding labeling. That is, the carrier film that has the conductive pattern and the conductive buffer layer formed thereon is inserted into the mold, and synthetic resins used to form the housing are injected into the mold, thereby manufacturing the housing. Here, the carrier film  410  may be formed integrally with the housing  450  and be formed on the surface of the housing. 
         [0080]    In this embodiment, the carrier film  410  may be formed on an outer surface of the housing  450 . The conductive pattern  420  and the conductive buffer layer  430  may be formed between the housing  450  and the carrier film  410 . 
         [0081]    In this embodiment, the mobile communication terminal may further include a connector  460 . The connector  460  may connect a board  470  disposed inside the housing with the conductive pattern  420  of the antenna that is formed on the surface of the housing  450  of the mobile communication terminal. The connector  460  may have predetermined elasticity. 
         [0082]    The connector  460  may be fixed to the housing when the housing  450  of the mobile communication terminal is formed by the in-molding labeling. 
         [0083]    Like this embodiment, when the conductive pattern  420  is formed on the outside of the housing  450  of the mobile communication terminal, and the connector  460  is used to connect the conductive pattern  420  to the board  470  inside the housing, the conductive pattern  420  formed on the surface of the housing may be deformed due to the elasticity of the connector  460 . In this embodiment, the conductive buffer layer  430  is formed over the area of the conductive pattern that is in contact with the connector, thereby reducing a physical force that is directly applied to the conductive pattern due to the elasticity of the connector. 
         [0084]    As set forth above, according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, a film type antenna that has a contact structure to stably connect the film type antenna to a circuit of a board inside a mobile communication terminal, and a mobile communication terminal having the film type antenna. 
         [0085]    While the present invention has been shown and described in connection with the exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.