EP1146588A2 - Antenne encliquetable pour appareils de communication portables - Google Patents

Antenne encliquetable pour appareils de communication portables Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1146588A2
EP1146588A2 EP01303383A EP01303383A EP1146588A2 EP 1146588 A2 EP1146588 A2 EP 1146588A2 EP 01303383 A EP01303383 A EP 01303383A EP 01303383 A EP01303383 A EP 01303383A EP 1146588 A2 EP1146588 A2 EP 1146588A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
antenna
snap
fit
receptacle
housing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP01303383A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1146588A3 (fr
Inventor
Christopher Hodge
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Matsushita Communication Industrial UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Matsushita Communication Industrial UK Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Matsushita Communication Industrial UK Ltd filed Critical Matsushita Communication Industrial UK Ltd
Publication of EP1146588A2 publication Critical patent/EP1146588A2/fr
Publication of EP1146588A3 publication Critical patent/EP1146588A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/24—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set
    • H01Q1/241—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM
    • H01Q1/242—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM specially adapted for hand-held use
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/08—Means for collapsing antennas or parts thereof
    • H01Q1/088—Quick-releasable antenna elements

Definitions

  • This invention relates to antennas for use with portable communication devices such as mobile phones.
  • a robust design is necessary for portable communication devices because of the harsh treatment inflicted on these devices during normal daily use.
  • Some antennas are enclosed within the housing of the device and are afforded protection from physical damage by the housing.
  • Many antennas protrude from and stand proud of the housing and therefore are particularly susceptible to damage.
  • prospective customers for portable communication devices there is an expectation of low purchasing costs.
  • the design and placement of an antenna for a radiotelephone is affected by a number of factors including performance in radio transmission and reception, size, weight and ease of manufacture and assembly into the communication device. Reductions in costs for manufacturing are related, inter alia , to the number of components in a particular sub-assembly and the time taken to incorporate the sub assembly into the communication device.
  • Extendable antenna assemblies are prone to breakage and presently, so called stub antennas are favoured. These stub antennas are less susceptible to breakage and generally are more convenient for the user of the communication device. Owing to the expectation of antenna breakages arising from previous designs some existing designs embody features to allow easy replacement of the antenna. A snap-in feature has often been used to provide for ease of replacement for antennas and other components or sub-assemblies.
  • a snap-fit antenna for a portable communication device having attachment means and the device having a receptacle for receiving the antenna and engaging the attachment means wherein the antenna engages with and is secured within the receptacle in response to a lateral movement of the antenna toward the receptacle.
  • a main housing 1 has an integrally formed mounting 2 for support of the antenna 3.
  • the prior art antennas of this type are assembled by means of operating a snap fit connection in an axial direction as shown in figures 1 and 2. That is to say that the antenna is pushed into the housing of the phone from a position around the top of the phone in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the antenna (from P to P'). As shown in figure 2 the longitudinal axis of the main housing along Q-Q' is offset by a small angular amount from the longitudinal axis of the antenna P-P'.
  • the electrical radiating and receiving elements of the antenna terminate in a contact 4 which is connected to the internal circuitry of the phone via a contact assembly 5.
  • the contact assembly 5 comprises a contact block 6 and a spring contact 7.
  • a resilient member 8 provides a snap fit with the body of the mounting 2.
  • FIG. 3 through 8 illustrate an antenna constructed in accordance with the present invention and part of a mobile phone into which the antenna is attached.
  • the antenna shown generally at 11 comprises an active antenna element 12 and a base section 13.
  • the active element 12 may be of any suitable type. Some suitable antenna types are; a helical coil wrapped around a former (see US 5 341 149 for background) and a printed conductive filament (see GB 2 330 951 for background). Many other antenna types e.g. patches, may be used with the invention. Patch antennas are discussed in US 5 627 550.
  • the profile of the body of the antenna can be shaped to accommodate the particular type of active element used and its matching circuits, if necessary.
  • the antenna 11 is shown in figures 3, 4 , 5 and 7 attached to the phone housing 20.
  • the antenna is shown detached from the housing.
  • the direction shown by the arrow X of figure 7 is the axial direction referred to in relation to the prior art references.
  • the lateral direction used for attachment of the antenna in this example is shown as arrow Y in figure 6 and the arrow Z in figure 8.
  • the longitudinal axes of the antenna, housing and receptacle are parallel one with another. More generally the longitudinal axes of the antenna and receptacle are substantially parallel with each other but not necessarily are the antenna and receptacle axes parallel with the axis of the housing.
  • Antenna base section 13 has a depending flange 14 carrying four snap catches 15.
  • the snap catches 15 are resilient members incorporating a barb for engagement with the slots 18 within receptacle 21.
  • a connector block 16 also depends from antenna base 13 and the connector block 16 carries at its distal end an electrical connector 17 which is connected within the base 13 to the active antenna element 12.
  • the body of the antenna 11 When the antenna is to be attached to the phone, the body of the antenna 11 is positioned adjacent the receptacle 21 and the antenna 11 is moved in a lateral direction toward the receptacle 21 as illustrated in figures 6 (direction Y ) and 8 (direction Z ).
  • the locking mechanism When the antenna 11 is inserted fully into the receptacle 21 the locking mechanism operates to secure the antenna in its mounted position. Locking is effected by means of the barbs of the snap catches 15 which spring into slots 18 to secure the antenna within receptacle 21.
  • the electrical connector 17 contacts the internal wiring of the phone via the PCB 19.
  • the antenna body around the base section and the corresponding parts of the receptacle are shaped to provide an aesthetically pleasing profile.
  • the antenna body can be fabricated by welding together a two part moulding of a suitable plastic material e.g. PC/ABS.
  • the two parts of the moulding are symmetrical about B-B of figure 3.
  • the attachment means are therefore integral with and produced as part of the body of the antenna.
  • An additional benefit in terms of mechanical strength is realised from the profiling of the antenna base section and the receptacle. As shown in the figures the area and disposition of the mating surfaces between the antenna body and the receptacle provide firm support. The user could not easily gain access to the interior of the device to release the antenna from engagement. Nor would the user be encouraged to do so because with the increased strength of the antenna attachment the likelihood of damage is significantly reduced.
  • An antenna may be used whose axial direction, when mounted, makes a small angle with the axis of the housing as is shown for the prior art illustration of figure 2.
  • the shape of the receptacle will need to accommodate the small angle and its axis aligned for reception of a laterally moving antenna.
  • the active antenna element is a patch antenna or another type of antenna with a low profile
  • shaping of the antenna body and corresponding receptacle will allow an assembled antenna to lie flush with the external housing of the portable device.
  • the antenna would not be recognised as such, in this arrangement and would be less prone to damage.
  • the antenna is mounted on the outside of the housing.
  • the invention may also be carried into effect.
  • internal antenna mounting attachment means carried on the antenna body engage with a receptacle formed on an inner surface of one of the exterior housings of the device.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Support Of Aerials (AREA)
  • Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
  • Structure Of Receivers (AREA)
EP01303383A 2000-04-14 2001-04-11 Antenne encliquetable pour appareils de communication portables Withdrawn EP1146588A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0009146 2000-04-14
GB0009146A GB2361359A (en) 2000-04-14 2000-04-14 Snap-fit antenna for portable communication devices

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1146588A2 true EP1146588A2 (fr) 2001-10-17
EP1146588A3 EP1146588A3 (fr) 2001-11-14

Family

ID=9889860

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01303383A Withdrawn EP1146588A3 (fr) 2000-04-14 2001-04-11 Antenne encliquetable pour appareils de communication portables

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1146588A3 (fr)
GB (1) GB2361359A (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006042325A1 (fr) * 2004-10-12 2006-04-20 Qualcomm Incorporated Dispositifs et procedes pour retenir une antenne

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5440315A (en) * 1994-01-24 1995-08-08 Intermec Corporation Antenna apparatus for capacitively coupling an antenna ground plane to a moveable antenna
WO1998058421A1 (fr) * 1997-06-17 1998-12-23 Ericsson Inc. Ensemble boitier destine a equiper une radio portative communiquant a l'interieur d'un reseau de communications par satellites
US5945952A (en) * 1995-12-07 1999-08-31 Nokia Mobile Phones Limited Antenna sleeve having means for blocking a rod antenna from sliding off the housing
GB2337637A (en) * 1998-05-18 1999-11-24 Motorola Inc Antenna coupling system

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5576720A (en) * 1995-02-03 1996-11-19 Motorola, Inc. Assembly for mounting a radio frequency antenna to a communication device
GB2306056B (en) * 1995-10-06 1999-12-08 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd Antenna
US6061579A (en) * 1996-09-06 2000-05-09 Advanced Space Communications Research Laboratory Hand-held mobile phone terminal
US5973645A (en) * 1996-12-19 1999-10-26 Intermec Ip Corporation Snap-on antenna and protective connector mounting for a hand-held electronic device
FI102927B (fi) * 1997-02-14 1999-03-15 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd Kommunikointiyksikkö, antenni ja menetelmä antennin liittämiseksi
US6018326A (en) * 1997-09-29 2000-01-25 Ericsson Inc. Antennas with integrated windings
US6166695A (en) * 1998-10-02 2000-12-26 Motorola, Inc. Antenna detent and latching mechanism for a radiotelephone

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5440315A (en) * 1994-01-24 1995-08-08 Intermec Corporation Antenna apparatus for capacitively coupling an antenna ground plane to a moveable antenna
US5945952A (en) * 1995-12-07 1999-08-31 Nokia Mobile Phones Limited Antenna sleeve having means for blocking a rod antenna from sliding off the housing
WO1998058421A1 (fr) * 1997-06-17 1998-12-23 Ericsson Inc. Ensemble boitier destine a equiper une radio portative communiquant a l'interieur d'un reseau de communications par satellites
GB2337637A (en) * 1998-05-18 1999-11-24 Motorola Inc Antenna coupling system

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006042325A1 (fr) * 2004-10-12 2006-04-20 Qualcomm Incorporated Dispositifs et procedes pour retenir une antenne
EP1962376A1 (fr) 2004-10-12 2008-08-27 QUALCOMM Incorporated Dispositifs et procédés pour retenir une antenne
US7486240B2 (en) 2004-10-12 2009-02-03 Qualcomm Incorporated Devices and methods for retaining an antenna

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0009146D0 (en) 2000-05-31
EP1146588A3 (fr) 2001-11-14
GB2361359A (en) 2001-10-17

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