DE60318741T2 - COMBINATION OF TUBE ASSEMBLY AND CLIP FOR GROUNDING A WIRELESS ANTENNA - Google Patents

Abstract

A grounding clip (40) for mounting within an antenna tube (10) to enhance antenna grounding is provided. The grounding clip (40) comprises a resilient base ring (44), the base ring (44) having an outer circumference for contact with the antenna tube (10) and a gap in said base ring (44) for compression of said base ring (44). The grounding clip (40) also has at least one resiliently flexible contact pin (42) which is affixed to and extends from a first end of the base ring (44). Each of said at least one contact pin (42) is adapted to contact a base of an antenna (25) along a length of each of said at least one contact pin (42) to enhance antenna grounding. Also provided is a mobile device including the grounding clip (40) in an antenna assembly of the mobile device and a method of using the clip (40) for grounding the antenna (25).

Description

The The present invention relates to antenna grounding and mounting technology and in particular the mounting and grounding of an antenna in one Mobile device.

Around To maximize signal reception and minimize noise is for an antenna a good ground connection required. Unfortunately, in many mobile devices, in where the antenna is housed in a retracted state, no adequate grounding performed. This is generally the result of inappropriate contact between the antenna contact block and a ground connection in the antenna tube system.

Of Further, even if an antenna has a ground connection in has a fully retracted position, this ground connection in many cases ineffective if the antenna is not fully retracted. This can occur when an operator does not fully engage the antenna pushes her bracket, but instead she partially pulled out leaves.

One Another problem with current grounding techniques occurs in antenna mounting on, in which the support tube can move axially. This axial Movement shifts the fully retracted position of the antenna, which leads to an ineffective grounding, if the antenna has a perfectly retracted position requires to be properly grounded to be.

One Another problem with retractable antennas is that water gets into it Antenna tube transported can be when the antenna is from a solid state moved to a retracted state, especially when the mobile device is in the rain is used.

JP-A-06097712 describes an antenna grounding system of the type comprising a ground terminal and an antenna held within an antenna tube. A problem with the grounding arrangement of this type is the difficulty of installation.

GENERAL

8th of US-A-2001/0001554 discloses a clamp retained by a groove and a tapered lip.

The overcomes the present invention the disadvantages of the prior art, preferably by providing an antenna ground system according to claim 1. In particular contains The present invention provides a clamp which fits into the end of an antenna tube introduced becomes. The clamp contains at least one contact pin axially along the antenna tube extends and an extended surface for one Antenna grounding block provides to make contact when the grounding block is in a retracted state. The length of the Contact area leaves even contact if the antenna is not fully retracted. Further resilient forces ensure in the contact terminal, that good contact is made with the antenna grounding block.

The The present invention can also be applied to one end of the support tube have a flange to the possibility to significantly reduce axial movement during manufacture. This Flange fits into a groove located on a circuit board can. The flange and the groove can with higher precision be designed for which the fully retracted state of the antenna is a constant position is provided as soon as the tube is mounted on the circuit board. Without this groove and this flange could the slight axial movement of the tube will cause the contact point for one fully retracted antenna to a holder on the housing of device, within which the antenna is installed, or moved away from it becomes. By over a constant contact distance between the case mount and the perfect retracted position is, the grounding is facilitated.

The The present invention can also provide a easy way have to seal the antenna against water by using a plastic tube is provided which is mounted within an antenna tube system and captures any water being pumped into the piping system, when the antenna is retracted. The use of a cap on the other Ensures the end of the pipe that no water can penetrate from this end.

The present invention thus provides an antenna grounding system for a handset, the grounding system comprising: an antenna having an antenna shaft connected between a grounding block and a protective sheath; an antenna tube aligned to be mounted in the handset holding the antenna, the antenna tube having an upper end through which the antenna shaft is extended or retracted, and having an inner end opposite the upper end; and a groove between the inner end and the upper end; and a ground terminal installed in the inner end of the antenna tube and having a base and at least one contact pin extending axially along the antenna tube and providing resilient contact with the ground block, the base of the ground terminal being made to securely interpose the groove and inner end of the antenna tube fits and has angled tabs for removing the ground terminal from the antenna tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1 Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the antenna tube and mounting system of the present invention;

2 Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna tube and mounting system;

3 Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the contact end of the antenna tube and bracket;

4 Fig. 11 is a rear elevational view of the ground terminal of the present invention;

5 is a top perspective view of the ground terminal of 4 ;

6 Fig. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the ground terminal;

7 is a schematic plan view of the ground terminal;

8th is an elevation of the ground terminal from the front;

9 is an elevation of the ground terminal from the left;

10 Fig. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tube and ground terminal of the present invention;

11 Figure 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tube and ground terminal of the present invention showing more of the tube;

12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tube and the ground terminal of 11 turned to another angle;

13 is an end view of the tube and the ground terminal of 11 ;

14 Fig. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tube and ground terminal of the present invention;

15 Fig. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tube and ground terminal of the present invention;

16 Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view of an alternative contact pin for the ground terminal of the present invention;

17 Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view of another alternative ground pin terminal of the present invention;

18 Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the flange and groove system of the present invention; and

19 Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the piping system of the present invention including waterproofing components.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will now be referred to 1 and 2 taken. 1 and 2 show a pipe system 10 for a retractable antenna 25 , The pipe system 10 contains an outer metal wall 12 , which is formed with a precise inner diameter, whereby a very small deviation is ensured.

The pipe system 10 is using SMT terminals (Surface Mount Technology, Surface Mount Technology) 16 on a circuit board 14 assembled. The SMT terminals provide electrical contact between the piping system 10 and the circuit board 14 in front.

The antenna 25 contains an external protective jacket 30 at the outer tip of the antenna, an antenna shaft 32 and a contact block 34 (clearer in 3 to recognize). The antenna 25 is at the top of the shaft toward the handset using a bracket 36 held. The holder 36 provides some stability for the antenna 25 It also provides some weather protection for the pipe system 10 to restrict the entry of water.

An operator can use the antenna 25 take off by taking the external coat 30 pulls outwards in relation to the handset. This causes the antenna shaft 32 through the holder 36 moves and the antenna contact block 34 pulls with it. The contact block 34 moves from a position near the inner end 18 of the pipe system 10 to a position to the outer end 20 of the pipe system 10 out.

Similarly, the recovery is carried out by the external protective jacket 30 is pressed to the handset, thereby causing the antenna contact block 34 to the inner end 18 of the pipe system 10 moved.

To facilitate grounding, the present invention is a conductive and typically metallic earthing clamp 40 fitted. The ground terminal 40 is best in 3 to 15 to recognize.

the clamp 40 consists of one, but preferably two resiliently flexible contact pins 42 attached to a base ring 44 attached or formed integrally with it.

At the expiry, the ground terminal becomes 40 in the inner open end 18 of the pipe system 10 Installed. The pipe system 10 comes with a circumferential groove 46 formed, which is used to clamp the ground 40 hold. In particular, the clamp 40 in the pipe 10 be introduced until the base ring 44 safely in the space between the groove 46 and the inward arcuate lip 48 snaps the tube, with both the introduction of the terminal and, if necessary, their decrease by the angularly projecting tabs 41 at the inner and outer ends of the base ring 44 be relieved.

The end of the pipe system 10 is preferably in a tapered lip 48 educated. the clamp 40 will then use some elastic deformation of the clamp to bring it over the lip 48 to fit in the space between the groove 46 and the lip 48 Installed. Preferably, a small device is used to accomplish this introduction. The ground terminal 40 This will cause it to be at the point between the tapered lip 48 of the pipe system 10 and the groove 46 locked.

Every contact pin 42 is essentially two-lobed, giving free space between each pin and the groove 46 provides and allows for the longer partial area 43 every pen from the vertex 52 the two-way arrangement to the tab 50 Tapered down, which is designed so that it is on the inner surface of the tube 10 is applied. The surface 55 each pen section 43 between vertex 52 and tab 50 is a flexible contact area for making electrical contact between the terminal 40 and the contact block 34 at the inner end of the shaft of the antenna while the antenna is fully or partially retracted.

It will now be referred to 15 taken. 15 shows that when the antenna contact block 34 between the points 54 and 56 of the contact area 55 located, the contact pin 42 physical and electrical contact with the antenna contact block 34 manufactures. The contact pin 42 is preferably gold plated within this range, to ensure optimum contact and thus grounding.

The ground terminal 40 is preferably formed by a subsequent punching tool. This ensures that the clamp has very well-regulated dimensions for a consistent installation within each pipe system 10 features. This ensures that the pins 42 about very repeatable positions when comparing between a pipe system 10 and another.

The slope between the points 54 and 56 is designed to produce an optimum contact area. This is done by ensuring that the contact area 55 as long as possible and that the contact pin 42 springy flexible: This system creates a long contact area 55 , which gives more chances for grounding the antenna 25 leads. In particular, the antenna needs 25 can not be fully retracted into the pipe to achieve adequate grounding.

In a preferred embodiment, the clamp contains 40 two pins 42 , The use of two pins ensures that adequate contact with the antenna contact block 34 is maintained by a grounding with three contacts is provided. The first two contact points are between blocks 34 and the two contact areas 55 on the contact pins 42 , In addition, the force of the pins 42 at the antenna contact block 34 spring forces produced the antenna contact block 34 for contact with the interior of the pipe system 10 , which creates a third grounding point, as very clearly in 15 is shown. The optimal training for the contact pins 42 will not be diametrically opposed to each other, but instead is at an angle of 90 to 120 degrees from each other.

A person skilled in the art will recognize that further embodiments of the contact pins 42 possible are. For example, a contact pin could be used as long as the pin is sufficiently stable to provide a good contact area 55 provide. It will now be referred to 16 and 17 taken which alternative formations for the contact pin 42 demonstrate. In 16 is a contact pin 42 with a forked end 43 shown. The forked end 43 provides sufficient stability to ensure that the contact pin 42 not moved when the antenna contact block 34 is withdrawn.

Alternatively, the contact pin 42 be arcuate, as in 17 is illustrated. 17 shows the contact pin 42 with a single contact point 55 at one end. However, the contact area 55 arcuate to the antenna contact block 34 to fit around, thereby ensuring that the contact pin 42 not on the side of the antenna contact block 34 is moved when the antenna 25 is withdrawn.

The grounding is also indicated by the Mon animals of the pipe system 10 on the circuit board 14 facilitated. As stated above, the pipe system is 10 using SMT terminals 16 on the circuit board 14 assembled. Two SMT terminals 16 are used, and these terminals 16 are on connected terminals on the circuit board 14 attached. The clamps 16 keep the pipe system 10 in the directions X and Y. The combination of the two clamps limits the rotation on the X and Y axes. It will now be referred to 18 taken. The present invention also includes a radially extending flange 60 at the front or top of the pipe system 10 , The flange 60 fits into the PCB 14 cut groove 62 , The combination of flange 60 and groove 62 ensures that the pipe system 10 not moved in the axial direction of the pipe.

An advantage of the above mounting technique is that the contact performance is improved. If the tube is allowed to move axially, the point of pull-in of the antenna contact block would become 34 vary, making accurate grounding more difficult to achieve. The use of flange 60 and groove 62 Both of which can be made with high precision, ensuring that the pipe system 10 always correctly mounted in the axial direction. The mounting technique only allows rotation around the axis of the pipe system 10 to. This does not affect the contact of the retracted antenna 25 and does not affect the grounding performance.

After the pipe has been completely assembled, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that plastic components in the housing also hold the pipe system 10 contribute in the correct position.

The present invention also provides an improved watertight seal by providing a tube 70 within the pipe system 10 provides. Water can enter the pipe system 10 from the holder 36 enter when the antenna 25 is withdrawn. This is done by the plastic tube 70 and the cap 72 overcome.

It will now be referred to 19 taken. The pipe 70 is preferably made of plastic and is on the bracket 36 attached. The pipe 70 runs from the holder 36 up to the contact area 55 , Preferred is between the tube 70 and the pipe system 10 a small gap exists to the insertion of the plastic tube 70 into the pipe system 10 to facilitate. In addition, the plastic tube can 70 even after the case of the portable device has been closed, using the opening for the holder 36 into the pipe system 10 be introduced.

In operation, water, which may be due to rain on the shaft 30 accumulates in the holder 36 be pressed when the antenna 25 is withdrawn. This water stays in the pipe 70 instead of with the side of the pipe system 10 to get in touch.

Another water seal is achieved by placing a cap 72 at the end of the pipe system 10 will be added. The cap 72 can be made of metal or plastic and lies close to the end of the pipe system 10 and thus forms a seal.

The Embodiments described above Present invention are as illustrative of preferred embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The single restrictions The scope of the present invention is set forth in the following appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The The present invention is directed to mounting and grounding an antenna in a mobile device.

Claims (19)

Antenna grounding system ( 10 ) for a handset, the grounding system comprising: - an antenna ( 25 ) with an antenna shaft ( 32 ), which is connected between a grounding block ( 34 ) and a protective jacket ( 30 ) connected is; An antenna tube ( 10 ), adapted to be mounted in the hand-held device which is the antenna ( 25 ), wherein the antenna tube has an upper end ( 20 ), through which the antenna shaft ( 32 ) is extended or retracted, and an upper end ( 20 ) opposite inner end ( 18 ) having; and - one in the inner end ( 18 ) of the antenna tube installed earth terminal ( 40 ), which has a base ( 40 ) and at least one contact pin ( 42 ), which is axially along the antenna tube ( 10 ) and a resilient contact with the grounding block ( 34 ), characterized in that the antenna tube ( 10 ) a groove ( 46 ) between the inner end ( 18 ) and the upper end ( 20 ); and that the grounding clamp is designed to securely between the groove ( 46 ) and the inner end ( 18 ) of the antenna tube fits and angled protruding tabs ( 41 ) for removing the ground terminal from the antenna tube. Antenna grounding system according to claim 1, wherein the antenna tube ( 10 ) are attached to a printed circuit board using surface mount technology (SMT) terminals is. Antenna grounding system according to claim 2, wherein the antenna tube ( 10 ) also has at its upper end a flange ( 60 ) and the circuit board has a groove for receiving the flange, whereby the movement of the antenna tube is limited in the axial direction. Antenna grounding system according to claim 3, wherein the movement of the antenna tube ( 10 ) is also limited by plastic components in the handset. An antenna grounding system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the antenna tube further comprises a tapered lip (7) at its inner end. 48 ) having. An antenna ground system according to claim 5, wherein the base of the ground terminal is made to securely fit between the groove (11). 46 ) and the tapered lip ( 48 ) of the antenna tube fits. An antenna grounding system according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the base of the ground terminal is resiliently deformable in the radial direction such that the ground terminal is above the tapered lip (10). 48 ) can be installed. An antenna grounding system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the ground terminal is fixed by the tapered lip (10). 48 ) and the groove ( 46 ). Antenna grounding system according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising two contact pins ( 42 ) having. Antenna grounding system according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one of the contact pins ( 42 ) is executed in pairs. An antenna ground system according to claim 10, wherein the contact pin extends from a vertex to a tab at the end of the contact pin ( 42 ) tapers. An antenna grounding system according to claim 11, wherein the tab is adapted to abut an inner surface of the antenna tube (11). 10 ) is present. Antenna grounding system according to claim 11 or. Claim 12, wherein the contact pin ( 42 ) is resiliently flexible between the vertex and the tab. An antenna ground system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the ground terminal ( 40 ) is gold plated. Antenna grounding system according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the contact pin ( 42 ) has a fork-shaped end. Antenna grounding system according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the contact pin ( 42 ) is arcuate. Antenna grounding system according to one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a holder on the handset, wherein the holder over located at the top and has a hole through which the Antenna shaft runs. An antenna grounding system according to claim 17, further comprising a tube fixed to the support and extending into the antenna tube (10). 10 ), whereby the pipe provides a watertight seal for the antenna grounding system ( 10 ). An antenna ground system according to claim 18, further comprising a cap ( 72 ), which is designed so that it lies close to the inner end of the antenna tube, whereby the cap ( 72 ) forms a seal for the antenna tube.