Patent Description:
A variety of electronic devices may transmit/receive various data through a wireless communication system. Currently, in order to satisfy an increasing demand of radio data traffic or to achieve a high data transfer rate, a wireless communication system is being studied for implementation in a super-high frequency band. Further, effective heat dissipation of an antenna module is also being studied for smooth operation of a wireless communication system in a super-high frequency band.

A wireless communication system using a wavelength of a low frequency bandwidth may be able to utilize a metallic radiator disposed inside or outside of an electronic device. In contrast, a wireless communication system implemented in a super-high frequency band requires an antenna radiation module including a dipole antenna and a patch antenna and being mounted inside an electronic device. The antenna radiation module may produce a significant amount of heat, but it may be difficult to arrange a metallic material for heat dissipation in close proximity due to characteristics of the wireless communication system of the super-high frequency band in which an antenna radiation module is mounted.

<CIT> discloses an electronic device including a housing, an antenna, and a sheet metal member. The antenna is contained in the housing
with a gap formed between the antenna and the housing. The sheet metal member is supporting the antenna to be thermally connected with the antenna.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a structure and method for heat dissipation of an antenna module of a wireless communication system implemented in a super-high frequency band.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided according to claim <NUM>.

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a front surface of a mobile electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a perspective view showing a rear surface of the mobile electronic device <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the mobile electronic device <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> that includes a first surface (or front surface) 110A, a second surface (or rear surface) 110B, and a lateral surface 110C that surrounds a space between the first surface 110A and the second surface 110B. The housing <NUM> may refer to a structure that forms a part of the first surface 110A, the second surface 110B, and the lateral surface 110C. The first surface 110A may be formed of a front plate <NUM> (e.g., a glass plate or polymer plate coated with a variety of coating layers) at least a part of which is substantially transparent. The second surface 110B may be formed of a rear plate <NUM> which is substantially opaque. The rear plate <NUM> may be formed of, for example, coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or any combination thereof. The lateral surface 110C may be formed of a lateral bezel structure (or "lateral member") <NUM> which is combined with the front plate <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM> and includes a metal and/or polymer. The rear plate <NUM> and the lateral bezel structure <NUM> may be integrally formed and may be of the same material (e.g., a metallic material such as aluminum).

The front plate <NUM> may include two first regions 110D disposed at long edges thereof, respectively, and bent and extended seamlessly from the first surface 110A toward the rear plate <NUM>. Similarly, the rear plate <NUM> may include two second regions 110E disposed at long edges thereof, respectively, and bent and extended seamlessly from the second surface 110B toward the front plate <NUM>. The front plate <NUM> (or the rear plate <NUM>) may include only one of the first regions 110D (or of the second regions 110E). The first regions 110D or the second regions 110E may be omitted in part. When viewed from a lateral side of the mobile electronic device <NUM>, the lateral bezel structure <NUM> may have a first thickness (or width) on a lateral side where the first region 110D or the second region 110E is not included, and may have a second thickness, being less than the first thickness, on another lateral side where the first region 110D or the second region 110E is included.

The mobile electronic device <NUM> may include at least one of a display <NUM>, audio modules <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, camera modules <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, a key input device <NUM>, a light emitting device <NUM>, and connector holes <NUM> and <NUM>. The mobile electronic device <NUM> may omit at least one (e.g., the key input device <NUM> or the light emitting device <NUM>) of the above components, or may further include other components.

The display <NUM> may be exposed through a substantial portion of the front plate <NUM>, for example. At least a part of the display <NUM> may be exposed through the front plate <NUM> that forms the first surface 110A and the first region 110D of the lateral surface 110C. Outlines (i.e., edges and corners) of the display <NUM> may have substantially the same form as those of the front plate <NUM>. The spacing between the outline of the display <NUM> and the outline of the front plate <NUM> may be substantially unchanged in order to enlarge the exposed area of the display <NUM>.

A recess or opening may be formed in a portion of a display area of the display <NUM> to accommodate at least one of the audio module <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, and the light emitting device <NUM>. At least one of the audio module <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, and the light emitting element <NUM> may be disposed on the back of the display area of the display <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be combined with, or adjacent to, a touch sensing circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring the touch strength (pressure), and/or a digitizer for detecting a stylus pen. At least a part of the sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> and/or at least a part of the key input device <NUM> may be disposed in the first region 110D and/or the second region 110E.

The audio modules <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may correspond to a microphone hole <NUM> and speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The microphone hole <NUM> may contain a microphone disposed therein for acquiring external sounds and, in a case, contain a plurality of microphones to sense a sound direction. The speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM> may be classified into an external speaker hole <NUM> and a call receiver hole <NUM>. The microphone hole <NUM> and the speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM> may be implemented as a single hole, or a speaker (e.g., a piezo speaker) may be provided without the speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM>.

The sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may generate electrical signals or datacorresponding to an internal operating state of the mobile electronic device <NUM> or to an external environmental condition. The sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a proximity sensor) and/or a second sensor module (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) disposed on the first surface 110A of the housing <NUM>, and/or a third sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a heart rate monitor (HRM) sensor) and/or a fourth sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) disposed on the second surface 110B of the housing <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed on the second surface 110B as well as the first surface 110A (e.g., the display <NUM>) of the housing <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may further include at least one of a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

The camera modules <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first camera device <NUM> disposed on the first surface 110A of the electronic device <NUM>, and a second camera device <NUM> and/or a flash <NUM> disposed on the second surface 110B. The camera module <NUM> or the camera module <NUM> may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and/or an image signal processor. The flash <NUM> may include, for example, a light emitting diode or a xenon lamp. Two or more lenses (infrared cameras, wide angle and telephoto lenses) and image sensors may be disposed on one side of the electronic device <NUM>.

The key input device <NUM> may be disposed on the lateral surface 110C of the housing <NUM>. The mobile electronic device <NUM> may not include some or all of the key input device <NUM> described above, and the key input device <NUM> which is not included may be implemented in another form such as a soft key on the display <NUM>. The key input device <NUM> may include the sensor module <NUM> disposed on the second surface 110B of the housing <NUM>.

The light emitting device <NUM> may be disposed on the first surface 110A of the housing <NUM>. For example, the light emitting device <NUM> may provide status information of the electronic device <NUM> in an optical form. The light emitting device <NUM> may provide a light source associated with the operation of the camera module <NUM>. The light emitting device <NUM> may include, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), an IR LED, or a xenon lamp.

The connector holes <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first connector hole <NUM> adapted for a connector (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) connector) for transmitting and receiving power and/or data to and from an external electronic device, and/or a second connector hole <NUM> adapted for a connector (e.g., an earphone jack) for transmitting and receiving an audio signal to and from an external electronic device.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a mobile electronic device <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the mobile electronic device <NUM> may include a lateral bezel structure <NUM>, a first support member <NUM> (e.g., a bracket), a front plate <NUM>, a display <NUM>, an electromagnetic induction panel(not shown), a printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a second support member <NUM> (e.g., a rear case), an antenna <NUM>, and a rear plate <NUM>. The mobile electronic device <NUM> may omit at least one (e.g., the first support member <NUM> or the second support member <NUM>) of the above components or may further include another component. Some components of the electronic device <NUM> may be the same as or similar to those of the mobile electronic device <NUM> shown in <FIG> or <FIG>, thus, descriptions thereof are omitted below.

The first support member <NUM> is disposed inside the mobile electronic device <NUM> and may be connected to, or integrated with, the lateral bezel structure <NUM>. The first support member <NUM> may be formed of, for example, a metallic material and/or a non-metal (e.g., polymer) material. The first support member <NUM> may be combined with the display <NUM> at one side thereof and also combined with the PCB <NUM> at the other side thereof. On the PCB <NUM>, a processor, a memory, and/or an interface may be mounted. The processor may include, for example, one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communications processor (CP).

The memory may include, for example, volatile memory or non-volatile memory.

The interface may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a USB interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, and/or an audio interface. The interface may electrically or physically connect the mobile electronic device <NUM> with an external electronic device and may include a USB connector, an SD card/multimedia card (MMC) connector, or an audio connector.

The battery <NUM> is a device for supplying power to at least one component of the mobile electronic device <NUM>, and may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell. At least a part of the battery <NUM> may be disposed on substantially the same plane as the PCB <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be integrally disposed within the mobile electronic device <NUM>, and may be detachably disposed from the mobile electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustration of a structure of an antenna module <NUM>. Specifically, in <FIG>, panel (a) is a perspective view showing an upper surface of the antenna module <NUM>, and panel (b) is a perspective view showing a lower surface of the antenna module <NUM>. In addition, panel (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4A(c)-4A(c).

Referring to <FIG>, the antenna module <NUM> may include a PCB <NUM>, an antenna array <NUM>, an RFIC <NUM>, and a PMIC <NUM>. Optionally, the antenna module <NUM> may further include a shielding member <NUM>. At least one of the above-mentioned components may be omitted, or at least two of the above components may be integrally formed.

The PCB <NUM> may include a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of non-conductive layers stacked alternately with the conductive layers. Using wirings formed in the conductive layers and conductive vias formed in the non-conductive layers, the PCB <NUM> may provide electrical connections among various electronic components disposed therein/thereon.

The antenna array <NUM> (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) may include a plurality of antenna elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> arranged to form a directional beam. The antenna elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be formed on a first surface of the PCB <NUM> as shown. The antenna array <NUM> may be formed inside the PCB <NUM>. The antenna array <NUM> may include a plurality of antenna arrays having the same shape/type or different shapes/types (e.g., a dipole antenna array and/or a patch antenna array).

The RFIC <NUM> (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) may be disposed on a second surface, opposite to the first surface, of the PCB <NUM> to be spaced apart from the antenna array <NUM>. The RFIC <NUM> is configured to process a signal of a selected frequency band transmitted/received through the antenna array <NUM>. In case of transmission, the RFIC <NUM> may convert a baseband signal obtained from a communication processor into an RF signal of a specified band. In addition, in case of reception, the RFIC <NUM> may convert an RF signal received through the antenna array <NUM> into a baseband signal and then deliver the baseband signal to the communication processor.

In case of transmission, the RFIC <NUM> may up-convert an IF signal (e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>), obtained from an IF integrated circuit (IFIC) (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>), to an RF signal of a selected band. In addition, in case of reception, the RFIC <NUM> may down-convert an RF signal obtained through the antenna array <NUM>, convert the down-converted signal into an IF signal, and then deliver the IF signal to the IFIC.

The PMIC <NUM> may be disposed on the second surface of the PCB <NUM> to be spaced apart from the antenna array <NUM>. The PMIC <NUM> may receive an electric current from a main PCB and provide the necessary power to various components (e.g., the RFIC <NUM>) on the antenna module.

The shielding member <NUM> may be disposed on the second surface of the PCB <NUM> to electromagnetically shield at least one of the RFIC <NUM> and the PMIC <NUM>. The shielding member <NUM> may be formed of a shield can.

The antenna module <NUM> may be electrically coupled to another PCB (e.g., a main PCB) via a module interface. The module interface may include a connecting member such as a coaxial cable connector, a board-to-board connector, an interposer, or a flexible PCB (FPCB). The RFIC <NUM> and/or the PMIC <NUM> of the antenna module may be electrically connected to the PCB through the connecting member.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the antenna module <NUM> taken along the line 4A-4A in <FIG>. As shown, the PCB <NUM> may include an antenna layer <NUM> and a network layer <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the antenna layer <NUM> may include at least one dielectric layer <NUM>-<NUM>. In addition, the antenna layer <NUM> may include an antenna element <NUM> and/or a power feeder <NUM>, which are formed on or in the dielectric layer <NUM>-<NUM>. The power feeder <NUM> may include a feed point <NUM> and/or a feed line <NUM>.

The network layer <NUM> may include at least one dielectric layer <NUM>-<NUM>. In addition, the network layer <NUM> may include at least one ground layer <NUM>, at least one conductive via <NUM>, a transmission line <NUM>, and/or a signal line <NUM>, which are formed on or in the dielectric layer <NUM>-<NUM>.

In addition, the RFIC <NUM> (e.g., the third RFIC <NUM> in <FIG>) may be electrically connected to the network layer <NUM> through, for example, first and second connection members (e.g., solder bumps) <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. Various connection members or structures such as soldering or ball grid array (BGA) may be used instead of the above connection members. The RFIC <NUM> may be electrically connected to the antenna element <NUM> through the first connection member <NUM>-<NUM>, the transmission line <NUM>, and the power feeder <NUM>. In addition, the RFIC <NUM> may be electrically connected to the ground layer <NUM> via the second connection member <NUM>-<NUM> and the conductive via <NUM>. The RFIC <NUM> may also be electrically coupled to the above-mentioned module interface through the signal line <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to <FIG>, the mobile electronic device <NUM> may include an antenna module <NUM>, a heat dissipation structure <NUM>, a heat dissipation sheet <NUM>, and a second heat dissipation member <NUM>.

The heat dissipation structure <NUM> performs a function of transmitting heat generated from the antenna module <NUM> to the heat dissipation sheet <NUM>. As the mobile electronic device <NUM> becomes slimmer, an inner space of the mobile electronic device <NUM> becomes insufficient. In this situation, unintended interactions among components inside the mobile electronic device <NUM> may occur, causing unintended side effects. For example, the heat dissipation structure <NUM> described below in greater detail may include a frame <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, a first heat dissipation member <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, and a heat insulation member <NUM>, where the heat generated in the antenna module <NUM> may be transmitted to the frame <NUM> which is in contact with the first heat dissipation member <NUM>. The second heat dissipation member <NUM> may thermally connect the antenna module <NUM> and the heat dissipation structure <NUM>. In the heat dissipation structure <NUM>, the heat insulation member <NUM> may thermally isolate the frame <NUM> from the first heat dissipation member <NUM> so as to prevent the heat from being transmitted to the frame <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing an antenna module <NUM> according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the antenna module <NUM> may include a circuit board <NUM>. On one surface of the circuit board <NUM>, various components <NUM> for communication are integrated. In addition, a connector terminal <NUM> may be disposed for connecting a connector that enables the communication components <NUM> to exchange signals with the mobile electronic device <NUM>. On the other surface of the antenna module <NUM>, an antenna pattern <NUM> for signal radiation may be formed.

A plurality of antenna modules <NUM> may be disposed in the mobile electronic device <NUM>. Depending on disposed positions, various types of connectors may be connected to the connector terminals <NUM> to exchange signals with the mobile electronic device <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG> described below in greater detail, one antenna module <NUM> may be disposed at an upper portion of the mobile electronic device <NUM>, another antenna module <NUM>' may be disposed at a left portion, and the other antenna module <NUM>" may be disposed at a right portion. More than three antenna modules <NUM>, <NUM>', and <NUM>" or less than three antenna modules <NUM>, <NUM>', and <NUM>" may be disposed in the mobile electronic device <NUM>. The connector may have various shapes corresponding to the disposed positions of the antenna modules <NUM>, <NUM>', and <NUM>".

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> are views showing a heat dissipation structure <NUM> according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing the heat dissipation structure <NUM>, and <FIG> is a plan view showing the heat dissipation structure <NUM> after assembly. In addition, <FIG> is a plan view showing the frame <NUM>, <FIG> is a plan view showing the first heat dissipation member <NUM>, and <FIG> is a plan view showing the heat insulation member <NUM>. In addition, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7F-7F in <FIG>.

The heat dissipation structure <NUM> may include the frame <NUM>, the first heat dissipation member <NUM>, and the heat insulation member <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the frame <NUM> may be exposed to the outer surface of the mobile electronic device <NUM> to form a part of the outer appearance of the mobile electronic device <NUM>. The frame <NUM> may be, for example, a decorative member such as a Cam deco. The frame <NUM> may be formed of a metallic material.

As the mobile electronic device <NUM> becomes increasingly slimmer, the spacing between internal components stacked in the direction of thickness of the mobile electronic device <NUM> becomes narrower. Therefore, in some cases, unintended interactions between such components may occur, resulting in unintended side effects.

For example, when the frame <NUM>, which is formed of a metallic material, defines the position of an electronic component (e.g., a rear camera module <NUM> in <FIG>) exposed to the outer surface of the mobile electronic device <NUM>, and protects the component, is in contact with a heat transfer medium for heat dissipation, such as the first heat dissipation member <NUM>, an unintended side effect that heat is transferred to the frame <NUM> may occur. The heat dissipation structure <NUM> may block or alleviate such occurrence.

Referring to <FIG>, the first heat dissipation member <NUM> may perform a function of receiving heat generated from the antenna module <NUM> and delivering the received hear to another place. The first heat dissipation member <NUM> is formed to overlap and combine with the frame <NUM> at a portion <NUM> thereof. One end of the first heat dissipation member <NUM> may be extended toward the antenna module <NUM>, and the other end may be thermally connected to a heat dissipation sheet <NUM>. The first heat dissipation member <NUM> may be formed of a metallic material or another material that is effective for heat transfer. For example, a material such as copper, aluminum, stainless steel, graphite, or thermal-conductive plastic may be used for the first heat dissipation member <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the heat insulation member <NUM> may be formed to match the shape of the portion <NUM> where the first heat dissipation member <NUM> and the frame <NUM> overlap with each other. The heat insulation member <NUM> may be interposed between the first heat dissipation member <NUM> and the frame <NUM> to prevent direct contact between the first heat dissipation member <NUM> and the frame <NUM>. When the first heat dissipation member <NUM> transfers heat generated from the antenna module <NUM> to the heat dissipation sheet <NUM>, the heat insulation member <NUM> interposed between the first heat dissipation member <NUM> and the frame <NUM> is capable of preventing the heat from being delivered to the frame <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view showing a heat dissipation structure <NUM> according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the heat dissipation structure <NUM> may be exposed to the outer surface of the mobile electronic device <NUM> while forming a part of the outer appearance of the mobile electronic device <NUM>. In the heat dissipation structure <NUM>, a frame <NUM> is similar to the above-described frame <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. However, contrary to the above-described frame <NUM> formed as a decorative member such as a Cam deco, the frame <NUM> in <FIG> may be formed as a plate printed or engraved with a brand label and/or flange(<NUM>) coupled the plate.

As described above, the spacing between internal components of the slim mobile electronic device <NUM> becomes narrower, so that unintended heat transfer may be caused. In order to block or alleviate this occurrence, heat dissipation structure <NUM> may have a similar structure and function to the above-described heat dissipation structure <NUM>. In particular, the frame <NUM> performs a role of exposing the brand label.

<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> are views showing an electronic device including a heat dissipation structure according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a rear case <NUM> of the electronic device is shown, which is the same component as the second support member <NUM> shown and described above with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> shows the PCB <NUM> and the battery <NUM>, which are also shown and described above with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> shows a state where the PCB <NUM>, the antenna module <NUM>, the heat dissipation structure <NUM>, and the rear case <NUM> are mounted on a bracket <NUM> of the electronic device. The bracket <NUM> is the same component as the first support member <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the electronic device may include a plurality of antenna modules <NUM>, <NUM>', and <NUM>" disposed therein. These antenna modules <NUM>, <NUM>', and <NUM>" may be disposed near the lateral side of the electronic device for effective radiation of radio waves.

As shown in <FIG>, the battery <NUM> may occupy a considerable space in the electronic device because the power capacity of the battery is proportional to the size of the battery. When the battery <NUM> supplies power to components of the electronic device, heat may be generated. Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, the heat dissipation sheet <NUM> may be disposed on the battery <NUM> to diffuse the heat generated from the battery <NUM> as broad as possible within a limited space of the electronic device.

The heat dissipation sheet <NUM> according to an embodiment is formed of a plate that has a vacuum internal space and may contain a minute amount of moisture therein. The heat generated from the battery <NUM> is diffused through conduction. In addition, the heat may be rapidly diffused because of the moisture being easily evaporated and spread inside the vacuum internal space.

In addition, the antenna modules <NUM>, <NUM>', and <NUM>" generate heat during operation and, thus, require heat dissipation. However, due to constraints of space and radiation performance of the antenna module <NUM>, <NUM>', and <NUM>", it may be difficult to dispose the heat dissipation sheet <NUM> for and toward the antenna modules <NUM>, <NUM>', and <NUM>". Therefore, the heat dissipation structure <NUM> is separately used to remove heat generated from the antenna module <NUM> by transferring the heat of the antenna module <NUM> to the heat dissipation sheet <NUM>.

The antenna module <NUM> disposed at an upper portion of the mobile electronic device <NUM> as shown in <FIG> may have difficulty in being directly connected to the heat dissipation sheet <NUM> on the PCB <NUM> due to the rear camera modules <NUM> disposed between the antenna module <NUM> and the heat dissipation sheet <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Therefore, the heat dissipation structure <NUM> may have a partially overlapped structure between the first heat dissipation member <NUM> and the frame <NUM> when connecting the antenna module <NUM> to the heat dissipation sheet <NUM> through the first heat dissipation member <NUM>. In addition, the frame <NUM> and the first heat dissipation member <NUM> may be modularized into one set.

If heat is transferred to the frame <NUM> through direct contact between the first heat dissipation member <NUM> and the frame <NUM>, the heat may affect the user through the frame <NUM> exposed to the outside of the mobile electronic device <NUM>. Therefore, as described above with reference to <FIG>, the heat insulation member <NUM> may be interposed between the first heat dissipation member <NUM> and the frame <NUM> for preventing direct contact.

The heat dissipation structure realized for thermal connection between the heat dissipation sheet <NUM> and the antenna module <NUM> disposed at the upper portion of the mobile electronic device <NUM> are described above. This is, however, exemplary only and not intended to be construed as a limitation. This description may be also applied to another antenna module <NUM> disposed at another position inside the mobile electronic device <NUM> when there is any interfering component between such an antenna module <NUM> and the heat dissipation sheet <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are enlarged views showing an antenna module <NUM> of an electronic device including a heat dissipation structure <NUM> according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, <FIG> is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an area where the heat dissipation structure <NUM> is connected to the antenna module <NUM> disposed at an upper portion of the electronic device, and <FIG> is an enlarged view showing a location where the antenna module <NUM> is disposed.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first heat dissipation member <NUM> may be thermally connected to the antenna module <NUM> via the second heat dissipation member <NUM>. Both the first heat dissipation member <NUM> and the second heat dissipation member <NUM> may be formed of a thermal interface material (TIM) that facilitates heat transfer. Although being formed of the TIM such as copper, aluminum, stainless steel, or graphite, heat transfer, the first heat dissipation member <NUM> and the second heat dissipation member <NUM> may have different physical properties. For example, the first heat dissipation member <NUM> may be rigidly formed to have a high rigidity, whereas the second heat dissipation member <NUM> may be flexibly formed to have a relatively high ductility. In particular, the second radiation member <NUM> may be formed as a tape type to thermally connect the antenna module <NUM> and the first heat dissipation member <NUM>. Forming the second heat dissipation member <NUM> to have a high ductility, it is possible to absorb any tolerance that may occur in a process of assembling the first heat dissipation member <NUM>, the rear case <NUM>, the antenna module <NUM>, and the like, or to absorb any error that may be caused by a slight difference from the design of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing that includes a front plate facing a first direction, a rear plate facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a lateral member surrounding a space between the front and rear plates. In addition, the electronic device may include a display exposed through at least a portion of the housing, a battery disposed in the housing, and an antenna module disposed in the housing, spaced apart from the battery, and including a radio frequency (RF) circuit. When viewed above the rear plate, the electronic device may further include a first electronic component positioned between the antenna module and the battery, a first heat dissipation member disposed to be partially overlapped with the first electronic component and to extend toward the antenna module, a frame disposed to be partially overlapped with the first heat dissipation member, to surround at least a part of the first electronic component, and to form a part of an outer appearance of the electronic device, and a heat insulation member interposed between the frame and the first heat dissipation member.

The electronic device may further include, when viewed above the rear plate, a second heat dissipation member attached to and overlapped with at least a portion of the antenna module and extending toward the first electronic component to be in contact with at least a portion of the first heat dissipation member.

The first heat dissipation member may be formed of at least one of copper, aluminum, stainless steel, graphite, or thermal-conductive plastic.

The frame may be formed of a metallic material.

The heat insulation member may be formed of at least one of polycarbonate, polyamide, or polyethylene.

According to an embodiment, a heat dissipation structure may include a frame surrounding at least a portion of a component exposed to an outer surface of an electronic device and forming a part of the outer surface of the electronic device, a heat dissipation sheet thermally connected to a battery of the electronic device, a first heat dissipation member disposed to be partially overlapped with the frame, extended toward an antenna module of the electronic device, and thermally connected to the heat dissipation sheet, and a heat insulation member interposed between the frame and the first heat dissipation member.

The frame, the first heat dissipation member, and the heat insulation member may be sequentially layered and combined with each other.

The heat insulation member may be formed to match a shape of a portion where the first heat dissipation member and the frame are overlapped with each other.

The heat dissipation structure may further include a second heat dissipation member extended from the first heat dissipation member, being in contact with at least a portion of the antenna module, and thermally connecting the first heat dissipation member and the antenna module.

The antenna module may include a circuit board, a communication component disposed on one surface of the circuit board, and an antenna pattern disposed on an opposite surface of the circuit board. The second heat dissipation member may be in contact with the communication component.

The second heat dissipation member may be formed of at least one of copper, aluminum, stainless steel, graphite, or thermal-conductive plastic.

The antenna module may be disposed at an upper portion of the electronic device so as not to overlap with a front camera module and a receiver of the electronic device.

The heat dissipation sheet may be formed of a plate having a vacuum internal space and contain a moisture in the internal space.

The component may be a rear camera module exposed to a rear surface of the electronic device, and the frame may be a decorative member surrounding at least a part of the rear camera module.

The component may be exposed to a rear surface of the electronic device, and the frame may be formed as a plate printed or engraved with a brand label.

According to an embodiment, a heat dissipation structure may include a frame surrounding at least a portion of a component exposed to an outer surface of an electronic device and forming a part of the outer surface of the electronic device, a first heat dissipation member disposed to be partially overlapped with the frame, and extended, at one end thereof, toward an antenna module of the electronic device, a second heat dissipation member thermally connecting the antenna module and the first heat dissipation member, and a heat insulation member interposed between the frame and the first heat dissipation member.

The first heat dissipation member may be thermally connected, at an opposite end thereof, to a heat dissipation sheet of the electronic device.

Heat dissipation of the antenna module may be performed by utilizing the heat dissipation sheet disposed in the electronic device without requiring any heat dissipation structure for the antenna module.

Claim 1:
An electronic device, comprising:
a housing;
a display exposed through at least a portion of the housing;
a battery;
a heat dissipation sheet (<NUM>) disposed in the housing and thermally connected to the battery;
an antenna module (<NUM>) disposed spaced apart from the heat dissipation sheet;
an electronic component positioned between the antenna module and the heat dissipation sheet, the electronic component being exposed to an outer surface of the electronic device;
a frame (<NUM>) surrounding at least a part of the electronic component, and forming a part of an outer appearance of the electronic device;
a first heat dissipation member (<NUM>) disposed to partially overlap the frame and to extend toward the antenna module, and thermally connected to the heat dissipation sheet; and
a heat insulation member (<NUM>) interposed between the frame and the first heat dissipation member.