Communication device and antenna thereof

Abstract

 An antenna of a communication device includes a metal frame (12), a metal back cover (18) and a printed circuit board (20). The printed circuit board (20) includes a first circuit block (26) and a second circuit block (28) electrically connected to the first circuit block (26) . A first conductor (30) is connected between a first part (34) of the metal frame (12) and a signal terminal (38) of the first circuit block (26). A second conductor (32) is connected between a second part (36) of the metal frame (12) and a ground terminal (40) of the first circuit block (26). A third conductor (42) is connected to a third part (52) of the metal frame (12). A fourth conductor (44) is connected to a ground terminal (50) of the second circuit block (28), and at least one coupling gap (56) is defined between the third conductor (42) and the fourth conductor (44). A signal terminal (48) of the second circuit block (28) is electrically connected to a fourth part (54) of the metal frame (12).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device and an antenna capable of utilizing a metal frame as a common antenna for emitting and receiving radio signals of the communication device.

Background of the Invention

[0002] During product development processes of conventional communication devices, such as mobile communication products, plastic housings are mainly used by manufacturers due to cost concerns, in order to maintain basic radiation characteristics of an antenna. However, a trend of metal housing is currently brought by Apple iPhones and Macbooks. Since the metal housing has light weight, good heat dissipation, high strength, high impact resistance, good looking, anti-electromagnetic and recyclable characteristics, the metal housing is getting more and more popular. Therefore, the metal housings are mainly used in development of new generations of the mobile communication products. For example, US patent No. 8,054,231 B2 disclosed by Ahn et al. teaches a metal case having a slot, which can be used as a slot antenna of a mobile device. But the slot may obviously ruin appearance of the metal case, and the slot needs to be arranged at a position corresponding to a specific area of the metal case. The Apple iPhone cell phone from 4 series to 5 series utilizes some of metal structural components of the cell phone as a part of an antenna for radiation. Antenna design using the metal structural components can reduce size for being arranged in a limited space. The iPhone 4 has a metal loop antenna, and the iPhone 5 has a dynamic metal loop antenna. Both of them have slits formed on the metal loop antennas, as such, antenna performance can be improved, but appearance is ruined as well.

[0003] Therefore, it is important to design a proper antenna to allow electromagnetic waves to penetrate the metal case for achieving communication purposes without obviously ruining the appearance of the metal structural components.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] This in mind, the present invention aims at providing a communication device and an antenna capable of utilizing a metal frame as a common antenna for emitting and receiving radio signals of the communication device.

[0005] This is achieved by a communication device and an antenna according to claims 1 and 4. The dependent claims pertain to corresponding further developments and improvements.

[0006] As will be seen more clearly from the detailed description following below, the claimed communication device comprises a metal frame defining an opening, the metal frame having a first part, a second part located at a position different from a position of the first part, a third part, and a fourth part located at a position different from a position of the third part; a display module; a display panel installed between the display module and the metal frame, and corresponding to the opening of the metal frame; a metal back cover; a printed circuit board, comprising a first circuit block and a second circuit block electrically connected to the first circuit block, each of the first and second circuit blocks comprising a signal terminal and a ground terminal, wherein the ground terminals contact the metal back cover; a main body located between the metal frame and the metal back cover, the main body being made of a non-conductive material; a first conductor connected between the first part of the metal frame and the signal terminal of the first circuit block of the print circuit board; a second conductor connected between the second part of the metal frame and the ground terminal of the first circuit block of the print circuit board; a third conductor connected to the third part of the metal frame; and a fourth conductor connected to the ground terminal of the second circuit block of the print circuit board, at least one coupling gap being defined between the third conductor and the fourth conductor; wherein the signal terminal of the second circuit block of the printed circuit board is electrically connected to the fourth part of the metal frame.

[0007] The claimed antenna comprises a metal frame defining an opening, the metal frame having a first part, a second part, a third part, and a fourth part; a metal back cover; a printed circuit board, comprising a first circuit block and a second circuit block electrically connected to the first circuit block, each of the first and second circuit blocks comprising a signal terminal and a ground terminal, wherein the ground terminals contact the metal back cover; a first conductor connected between the first part of the metal frame and the signal terminal of the first circuit block of the print circuit board; a second conductor connected between the second part of the metal frame and the ground terminal of the first circuit block of the print circuit board; a third conductor connected to the third part of the metal frame; and a fourth conductor connected to the ground terminal of the second circuit block of the print circuit board, at least one coupling gap being defined between the third conductor and the fourth conductor; wherein the signal terminal of the second circuit block of the printed circuit board is electrically connected to the fourth part of the metal frame, and is coupled to the ground terminal of the second circuit block of the printed circuit board through the at least one coupling gap.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] In the following, the invention is further illustrated by way of example, taking reference to the accompanying drawings thereof:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing arrangement of an antenna of the communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing arrangement of the antenna at a first position of the communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing arrangement of the antenna at the first position of the communication device (without showing a metal frame) according to the embodiment of the present,

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing relationship between a metal back cover and a ground terminal of a first circuit block of a printed circuited board according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing arrangement of the antenna at a second position of the communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing arrangement of the antenna at the second position of the communication device (without showing the metal frame) according to the embodiment of the present, FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of an area A in FIG. 8, and

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing relationship between the metal back cover and round terminals of the printed circuited board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

[0009] Fig. 1 and FIG. 2 are diagrams showing a communication device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 10 comprises a metal frame 12, a display module 14, a display panel 16, a metal back cover 18, a printed circuited board 20, and a main body 22. The metal frame 12 substantially is a rectangular frame defining an opening 24, and can be utilized as a front cover of the communication device 10. The display module 14 and the display panel 16 can be separated from each other or integrated together, but the present invention is not limited to the above structure. The display panel 16 is installed between the display module 14 and the metal frame 12, and corresponding to the opening 24of the metal frame 12. The display panel 16 is made of glass, but not limited to it. The metal back cover 18 is substantially rectangular and located at a position corresponding to a bottom of the main body 22, for being utilized as a rear cover of the communication device 10. The printed circuit board 20 is located between the metal frame 12 and the metal back cover 18. The printed circuit board 20 comprises a first circuit block 26 and a second circuit block 28 electrically connected to the first circuit block 26. The main body 22 is located between the metal frame 12 and the metal back cover 18, for installing the display module 14, the display panel 16 and the printed circuited board 20 on the main body 22. In addition, the main body 22 is made of a non-conductive material, such as a plastic material, but not limited to it.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing arrangement of an antenna of the communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 are diagrams showing antenna arrangement of the communication device 10 supporting a first communication function, such as a global positioning system (GPS) function. The arrangement in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 comprises the metal frame 12, the first circuit block 26 of the printed circuit board 20, a first conductor 30, a second conductor 32 and the metal back cover 18. The metal frame 12 has a first part 34 and a second part 36 located at a position different from a position of the first part 34. In a preferred embodiment, the first part 34 and the second part 36 of the metal frame 12 are located close to an upper right position of the display panel 16. The first circuit block 26 of the printed circuit board 20 comprises a signal terminal 38 and a ground terminal 40. The first conductor 30 is connected between the first part 34 of the metal frame 12 and the signal terminal 38 of the first circuit block 26 of the print circuit board 20. The second conductor 32 is connected between the second part 36 of the metal frame 12 and the ground terminal 40 of the first circuit block 26 of the print circuit board 20. When assembling the antenna, the metal back cover 18 contacts the ground terminal 40 of the first circuit block 26 of the printed circuit board 20.

[0011] FIG. 7 to FIG. 10 are diagrams showing antenna arrangement of the communication device 10 supporting a second communication function, such as a global system for mobile communication (GSM) function. The arrangement in FIG. 7 to FIG. 10 utilizes the metal frame 12 as a common antenna, wherein the arrangement comprises the second circuit block 28 of the printed circuit board 20, a third conductor 42, a fourth conductor 44 and a signal line 46. The second circuit block 28 of the printed circuit board 20 comprises a signal terminal 48 and a ground terminal 50. The metal frame 12 further has a third part 52 and a fourth part 54 located at a position different from a position of the third part 52. In a preferred embodiment, the third part 52 and the fourth part 54 of the metal frame 12 are located close to a lower right position of the display panel 16. The third conductor 42 is connected to the third part 52 of the metal frame 12, and extended in length to be close to the second circuit block 28 of the printed circuit board 20. The fourth conductor 44 is connected to a ground surface of the second circuit block 28 of the print circuit board 20 for conducting to the ground terminal 50, and at least one coupling gap 56 is defined between the third conductor 42 and the fourth conductor 44. The signal terminal 48 of the second circuit block 28 of the printed circuit board 20 is electrically connected to the fourth part 54 of the metal frame 12. In an embodiment, the signal terminal 48 of the second circuit block 28 of the printed circuit board 20 can be electrically connected to the fourth part 54 of the metal frame 12 through the signal line 46 connecting or contacting the fourth part 54 of the metal frame 12; or, in another embodiment, the signal terminal 48 of the second circuit block 28 of the printed circuit board 20 can directly connect or contact the fourth part 54 of the metal frame 12, the present invention is not limited to the above. When assembling the antenna, the metal back cover 18 contacts the ground terminal 50 of the second circuit block 28 of the printed circuit board 20.

[0012] According to the above arrangement, when the communication device 10 is powered by an external power source, such as a battery, the metal frame 12 can work as a common antenna for the first communication function (GPS) and the second communication function (GSM). The antenna forms an approximate large loop antenna to cooperate with the first conductor 30 and the second conductor 32 forming a small loop antenna smaller than the metal frame 12, in order to provide required communication capability to the communication device 10 through calculation processing of the printed circuit board 20. On the other hand, the third conductor 42 and the fourth conductor 44 are pre-arranged to form an open circuit state through the at least one coupling gap 56, so as to adjust required antenna matching, such as impedance matching, according to requirement. The signal terminal 48 of the second circuit block 28 of the printed circuit board 20 is coupled to the ground surface and the ground terminal 50 of the second circuit block 28 of the printed circuit board 20 for grounding through the at least one coupling gap 56, and the ground terminal 50 contacts the metal back cover after assembling.

[0013] According to the above illustration, the advantages of the present invention is that appearances of the metal back cover and the metal frame are not ruined by design of the antenna, and the present invention can have better appearance in contrast to the prior art, so as to allow the communication device to have great diversity of design.

Claims

1. A communication device (10), characterized by:

a metal frame (12) defining an opening (24), the metal frame (12) having a first part (34), a second part (36) located at a position different from a position of the first part (34), a third part (52), and a fourth part (54) located at a position different from a position of the third part (52);

a display module (14);

a display panel (16) installed between the display module (14) and the metal frame (12), and corresponding to the opening (24) of the metal frame (12);

a metal back cover (18);

a printed circuit board (20), comprising a first circuit block (26) and a second circuit block (28) electrically connected to the first circuit block (26), each of the first and second circuit blocks (26, 28) comprising a signal terminal (38, 48) and a ground terminal (40, 50), wherein the ground terminals (40, 50) contact the metal back cover (18);

a main body (22) located between the metal frame (12) and the metal back cover (18), the main body (22) being made of a non-conductive material;

a first conductor (30) connected between the first part (34) of the metal frame (12) and the signal terminal (38) of the first circuit block (26) of the print circuit board (20) ;

a second conductor (32) connected between the second part (36) of the metal frame (12) and the ground terminal (40) of the first circuit block (26) of the print circuit board (20) ;

a third conductor (42) connected to the third part (52) of the metal frame (12); and

a fourth conductor (44) connected to the ground terminal (50) of the second circuit block (28) of the print circuit board (20), at least one coupling gap (56) being defined between the third conductor (42) and the fourth conductor (44) ;

wherein the signal terminal (48) of the second circuit block (28) of the printed circuit board (20) is electrically connected to the fourth part (44) of the metal frame (12).

2. The communication device of claim 1, characterized in that the first part (34) and the second part (36) of the metal frame (12) are located close to an upper right position of the display panel (16).

3. The communication device of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the third part (52) and the fourth part (54) of the metal frame (12) are located close to a lower right position of the display panel (16).

4. An antenna of a communication device, characterized by:

a metal frame (12) having a first part (34), a second part (36), a third part (52), and a fourth part (54);

a metal back cover (18);

a printed circuit board (20), comprising a first circuit block (26) and a second circuit block (28) electrically connected to the first circuit block (26), each of the first and second circuit blocks (26, 28) comprising a signal terminal (38, 48) and a ground terminal (40, 50), wherein the ground terminals (40, 50) contact the metal back cover (18);

a first conductor (30) connected between the first part (34) of the metal frame (12) and the signal terminal (38) of the first circuit block (26) of the print circuit board (20) ;

a second conductor (32) connected between the second part (36) of the metal frame (12) and the ground terminal (40) of the first circuit block (26) of the print circuit board (20) ;

a third conductor (42) connected to the third part (52) of the metal frame (12); and

a fourth conductor (44) connected to the ground terminal (50) of the second circuit block (28) of the print circuit board (20), at least one coupling gap (56) being defined between the third conductor (42) and the fourth conductor (44) ;

wherein the signal terminal (48) of the second circuit block (28) of the printed circuit board (20) is electrically connected to the fourth part (44) of the metal frame (12), and is coupled to the ground terminal (50) of the second circuit block (28) of the printed circuit board (20) through the at least one coupling gap (56).

5. The antenna of the communication device of claim 4, characterized in that the third conductor (42) is extended in length to be close to the second circuit block (28) of the printed circuit board (20).

Amended claims

Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.

1. A communication device (10), comprising:

a metal frame (12) defining an opening (24), the metal frame (12) having a first part (34), a second part (36) bent relative to the first part (34), a third part (52) adjacent to the second part (36), and a fourth part (54) bent relative to the third part (52) and different from the first part;

a display module (14);

a display panel (16) installed between the display module (14) and the metal frame (12), and corresponding to the opening (24) of the metal frame (12);

a metal back cover (18);

a printed circuit board (20), comprising a first circuit block (26) and a second circuit block (28) electrically connected to the first circuit block (26), each of the first and second circuit blocks (26, 28) comprising a signal terminal (38, 48) and a ground terminal (40, 50), wherein the ground terminals (40, 50) contact the metal back cover (18);

a main body (22) located between the metal frame (12) and the metal back cover (18), the main body (22) being made of a non-conductive material;

characterized by:

a first conductor (30) connected between the first part (34) of the metal frame (12) and the signal terminal (38) of the first circuit block (26) of the printed circuit board (20);

a second conductor (32) connected between the second part (36) of the metal frame (12) and the ground terminal (40) of the first circuit block (26) of the printed circuit board (20);

a third conductor (42) having a first portion arranged along the third part (52) and connected to the third part (52) of the metal frame (12), and a second portion extended from the first portion along a longitudinal direction of the second circuit block (28); and

a fourth conductor (44) arranged along the longitudinal direction of the second circuit block (28), and connected to the ground terminal (50) of the second circuit block (28) of the printed circuit board (20), at least one coupling gap (56) being defined between the second portion of the third conductor (42) and the fourth conductor (44);

wherein the signal terminal (48) of the second circuit block (28) of the printed circuit board (20) is electrically connected to the fourth part (54) of the metal frame (12).

2. The communication device of claim 1, characterized in that the first part (34) and the second part (36) of the metal frame (12) correspond to a first corner of the display panel (16).

3. The communication device of claim 2, characterized in that the third part (52) and the fourth part (54) of the metal frame (12) correspond to a second corner of the display panel (16) different from the first corner.

4. The communication device of any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the first conductor (30) is arranged along the first part (34) and the second part (36), the second conductor (32) is arranged along the second part (36), wherein the first conductor (30), the second conductor (32), the first part (34) and the second part (36) form a loop antenna.

Drawing