EP1583171B1 - Coaxial conductor - Google Patents

Coaxial conductor Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1583171B1
EP1583171B1 EP04007526A EP04007526A EP1583171B1 EP 1583171 B1 EP1583171 B1 EP 1583171B1 EP 04007526 A EP04007526 A EP 04007526A EP 04007526 A EP04007526 A EP 04007526A EP 1583171 B1 EP1583171 B1 EP 1583171B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
arm
rigid
connection unit
relation
communication device
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP04007526A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1583171A1 (en
Inventor
Anders Larsson
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.)
Sony Mobile Communications AB
Original Assignee
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
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
Priority to EP04007526A priority Critical patent/EP1583171B1/en
Application filed by Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB filed Critical Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
Priority to AT04007526T priority patent/ATE401674T1/de
Priority to DE602004015066T priority patent/DE602004015066D1/de
Priority to KR1020067022600A priority patent/KR101259183B1/ko
Priority to JP2007505401A priority patent/JP2007531431A/ja
Priority to PCT/EP2005/001144 priority patent/WO2005096432A1/en
Priority to BRPI0508275-7A priority patent/BRPI0508275A/pt
Priority to CNB2005800104014A priority patent/CN100559650C/zh
Priority to TW094106280A priority patent/TWI360253B/zh
Publication of EP1583171A1 publication Critical patent/EP1583171A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1583171B1 publication Critical patent/EP1583171B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01P—WAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE
    • H01P1/00—Auxiliary devices
    • H01P1/06—Movable joints, e.g. rotating joints
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R35/00—Flexible or turnable line connectors, i.e. the rotation angle being limited
    • H01R35/04—Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2103/00—Two poles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
    • H01R2201/02—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for antennas
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
    • H01R2201/16—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for telephony

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a portable communication device for enabling using a rigid coaxial conductor in a multi-part portable communication device.
  • clam shell type of phone One trend within the design of portable communication devices, such as mobile phones is the so called clam shell type of phone. Another type of phone is the jack-knife type of phone and a third is the flip-type of phone. These types of phone, all being of non-stick type, are composed of two major parts, often one upper part and one lower part.
  • the clam-shell type of phone has the advantage of enabling fitting a large display together with a fairly large keyboard within small outer dimensions.
  • the RF signals are usually transferred between the two parts by leading the signals through conducting flexible coaxial cable that is positioned through a hinging region connecting the lower and the upper parts.
  • a two position fold-over dipole antenna is disclosed which is thus used in a two-part type of mobile phone.
  • This antenna has a first part in a flap portion of the mobile phone and a second portion in a main part of the mobile phone. These portions are connected to one another by a flex strip conductor that is postioned in a hinge region between the first and the second part.
  • the technique as disclosed above thus uses a flexible strip conductor.
  • coaxial cable In order to allow opening and closing of a two part phone the coaxial cable have to allow bending and/or twisting motions. These cables are therefore flexible in order to allow such motions.
  • Another drawback of using a flexible coaxial cable is that it is difficult to connect the shield of the cable to the electrical ground in an appropriate way. If poorly grounded the RF signal can generate interference in other sensitive regions of the phone. Moreover, the antenna radiation performance may also be difficult to optimise when the coaxial cable is poorly grounded.
  • a disadvantage with the current technology is the difficulty to fixate a flexible cable at the hinge region.
  • the cable can get squeezed easily between the mechanical detailed parts, which exerts a counteracting force, as mentioned above and which also may reduce the RF signal transfer performance of the cable through the hinge region.
  • US 2,753,531 describes a connecting unit for connecting two transmission lines with each other.
  • the connecting unit provides an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the planes of the transmission lines and capacitive coupling of the conductors of one transmission line to the conductors of the other transmission line.
  • US 6,292,563 describes a folding communication apparatus with a first housing rotatably connected by a hinge to a second housing via a hinge. In relation to the hinge there is provided a switch, which either gets closed or opened when the hinge is moved. The switch is used to cause the volume of a speaker to increase or decrease.
  • the invention is directed towards providing a portable communication device, comprising multiple rigid parts for enabling use within a multi-part portable communication device.
  • One object of the present invention is to provide a portable communication device containing a radio communication unit, enabling motion between connection sites of said radio communication unit.
  • this object is achieved by the features of claim 1 on file.
  • a second aspect of the present invention is directed towards a portable communication device including the features of the first aspect, wherein the second arm is a rigid arm.
  • a third aspect of the present invention is directed towards a portable communication device including the features of the first aspect, wherein the rotational region is a hinging region.
  • a fourth aspect of the present invention is directed towards a portable communication device including the features of the first aspect, wherein the device is a mobile phone.
  • said radio communication unit having a coaxial connection unit including parts that are rotatable in relation to one another, folding of said radio communication unit is enabled.
  • radio communication unit Another advantage by using a radio communication unit, according to the present invention, is that is has better RF performance relative flexible RF cables.
  • the radio communication unit obtains a lower insertion loss, enhanced shielding and better possibilities for grounding, compared to flexible cables.
  • RF performance may be further increased due to the fact that a larger diameter may be used when using a rigid coaxial cable as compared to when using a flexible cable.
  • the shield of a rigid arm can be soldered directly to a printed wire board (PWB) for instance within the different housing parts of a mobile phone, giving better antenna performance and better interference immunity, that minimised interference between sensitive electrical/electronical parts in the portable communication device.
  • PWB printed wire board
  • the rigid arm will be fixed in the rotation area of the portable communication device, reducing potential problems of conductors being squeezed, reducing the performance of the portable communication device.
  • the invention thus relates to providing a portable communication device, comprising multiple rigid parts that can move relative to one another, for enabling transferring RF signals.
  • Portable communication devices having at least an upper part and a lower part that can be moved relative another typically contain a RF cable between RF circuitry in the lower part of the mobile phone and an antenna in the upper part of the phone. Since the upper and the lower parts are movable in relation to another the RF cable has to allow such motion.
  • the present invention also relates to a portable communication device for enabling using a rigid coaxial conductor in a multi-part portable communication device.
  • Fig. 1 shows a radio communication unit 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • This radio communication unit comprises a first rigid arm 102 and a second rigid arm 104 connected to each other by a connecting unit 106.
  • the first and second rigid arms 102 each have a first electric conductor and a second electric conductor, that are coaxially arranged in relation to each other. These conductors are also electrically insulated in relation to each other. In a preferred embodiment these arms are tubular.
  • the arms are thus rigid coaxial tubes and as such they possess good RF transferring properties, such as having low RF losses.
  • the first rigid arm 102 is connected to the second rigid arm 104 at a connecting unit 106.
  • This connecting unit allows rotational motion.
  • the first arm 102 has a first end 110 and a second end 108, where the first end 110 of the first arm 102 is connected to the conneting unit 106 at a first connecting site 112.
  • the second arm 104 has a first 116 and a second end 118, of which the first end 116 is connected to the connecting unit 106 at a second connecting site 114.
  • the connecting unit 106 is typically made of two halves that are arranged rotatably in relation to one another around an axis of rotation, A. This axis is directed through the center of the connecting unit and allows rotation of the first connection site in relation to the second connection site of the connection unit.
  • the radio communication unit 100 will not be completely rigid, although the first 102 and second arms 104 are rigid.
  • the connection unit allows rotation around the axis of rotation, indicated with A in fig. 1
  • the first 102 and second 104 arms are rotatable around the same axis of rotation, rotation axis A.
  • the first rigid arm 102 and the second rigid arm 104 of the radio communication unit 100 can thus be folded towards or away from each other.
  • the radio communication unit 100 is thus foldable.
  • connection unit 106 comprises a first electric conductor and second electric conductor that are coaxially arranged and electrically insulated, in relation to each other.
  • This connection unit 106 thus has coaxial conductors.
  • connection unit 106 having two coaxial rigid parts rotatable in relation to each other, preferably comprises electrical contact between the two parts, such that the first connection site 112 is electrically connected to the second connection site 114.
  • This electrical contact comprises electical contact between the inner conductor of the first connection site 112 and the inner conductor of the second connection site 114.
  • the electrical contact within the connection unit 106 preferably also provides electrical contact between the outer conductor of the first connection site 112 and the outer connector of the second connection site 114.
  • the inner conductors are electrically insulated with respect to the outer conductors.
  • the electrical contact between the two inner conductors and the two outer conductors, respectively, can be realised in many different ways.
  • One way of arranging the two rigid parts of the connection unit 106 rotatably in respect to each other, and establishing an electric contact between the two inner conductors, still allowing rotational motion with respect to the two rigid parts, may be by using a slip ring contact between the inner conductors. The two inner conductors can thus slip against each other to allow said rotational motion.
  • a slip ring contact may be provided to establish the electrical contact between the outer conductors of the first and second connection sites, which slip ring contact would allow a rotational motion. The two outer conductors would thus slip against each other upon rotational motion of the two rigid parts.
  • the inner conductor of the second rigid arm 104 is contacted with the inner conductor of the connection unit 106 and the outer conductor of the second rigid arm is contacted with the outer conductor of the connection unit 106.
  • Fig. 1 also shows an inner conductor 122 of the second rigid arm 104, which arm is of the same type as the first rigid arm 102.
  • connection unit 106 By connecting the first 102 and second 104 rigid arms 102 to the connection unit 106, electrical contact between the inner conductor 120 of the first arm 102 and the inner conductor 122 of the second rigid arm 104 is obtained.
  • first rigid arm 102 and the second rigid arm 104 to the connection unit, as described above, an electrical contact is obtained between the outer conductor of the first rigid arm 102 and the outer conductor of the second rigid arm 104, via the connection unit.
  • the inner and outer conductors remain electrically insulated, in relation to each other.
  • the first rigid arm 102 is elongated and is connected to the first connection site 112 of the connection unit 106, in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation A, of the connection unit 106, as shown in fig. 1 .
  • the first arm 102 is connected to the first connection site 112 in a direction that is substantially parallell with the direction of the axis of rotation A (not shown).
  • the inner and the outer conductors of the first connection site are coaxial with the rotation axis, A.
  • the direction in which the first rigid arm may be elongated is still perpendicular to the axis of rotation A.
  • the first rigid arm is formed as the letter L, with the base of the letter coaxial with the rotation axis A and the stem of letter L substantially directed in the direction in which the first rigid arm may be elongated.
  • the first end 110 of the rigid arm 102 may be connected to the first connection site 112 of the connection unit 106, such that the direction of the first connection site 112 having the connected first rigid arm 102 and the direction of the axis of rotation forms an acute angle.
  • the radio communication unit 100 as shown in fig. 1 thus enables folding of the first rigid arm 102 in relation to the second rigid arm 104. This folding possibility is advantageously used in the portable communcation device as shown in fig. 2 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a side view cross section of a portable communication device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • This figure shows a mobile phone, as one example of a portable communication device, in a state in which an upper part 224 and a lower part 226 are folded against each other, in a rotation area 228.
  • the mobile phone 200 is in a folded state.
  • Fig. 2 also shows a radio communication unit having a first rigid arm 202, a second rigid arm 204 and a connection unit 206, wherein the first rigid arm is locatd in the upper part 224 of the mobile phone 200, the second rigid arm 204 is located in the lower part 226 of the phone 200, and the connection unit 206 is located in the rotation area 228 of the device 200. Moreover, a first end 210 of the first rigid arm 202 is connected to a first connection site 212 of the connection unit 206, and a first end 216 of the second rigid arm is connected to a second connection site 214 of the connection unit 206.
  • connection unit 206 is of the type as described in relation to fig. 1 , that is a type that has an axis of rotation, in fig. 1 indicated by A.
  • the connection unit 206 thus also possesses an axis of rotation enabling rotation of the first connection site 212 and the second connection site 214 are rotatable.
  • the rotation area 228 of the mobile phone 200 is also designed to allow rotation of the upper part 224 of the phone in relation to the lower part 226 of the phone 200. For this reason an axis of rotation is defined within the rotation area 228.
  • the axis of rotation of the connection unit 206 In order to enable rotation of the first rigid arm 202 located in the upper part 224 of the phone 200 in relation to the second rigid arm 204 located in the lower part 226 of the phone 200, the axis of rotation of the connection unit 206 must coincide with the axis of rotation of the rotation area 228.
  • the first rigid arm 202 and the second rigid arm 204 are designed to allow transferring RF signals between the upper part 224 and the lower part 226 of the mobile phone.
  • the second end 208 of the first rigid arm 202 is connected to an antenna 220 and the second end 218 of the second rigid arm 204 is connected to a printed wire board (PWB) 222, between which RF signals are transferred upon receiving or transmitting radio signals.
  • PWB printed wire board
  • fig. 2 is a side view cross section of a portable communication device in a folded state of the device
  • fig. 3 shows a portable communication device in a side view cross section in an un-folded state.
  • Fig. 3 shows one type of a portable communication device of the type mobile phone.
  • This mobile phone 30 being in an un-folded state, contains a first rigid arm 32 and a second rigid arm 34, connected to each other at a connection unit 36, as shown in fig. 3 .
  • the connection unit 36 is designed to enable the first rigid arm 32 to be rotatable in relation to the second rigid arm 34, when being connected to the connection unit 36, as shown in fig. 3 .
  • This is enabled by designing the connection unit 36 as described above in relation to figs. 1 and 2 .
  • connection unit comprises a first rigid arm and a connection unit, to which the first rigid arm is connected.
  • the portable communication device comprises a rigid first arm and a second arm, which both are connected to a connection unit.
  • the portable communication device comprises a first rigid arm connected to a connection unit, for enabling rotation around an axis of rotation within the connection unit.
  • the portable communication device comprises a first rigid arm connected to one site of one part of a connection unit, whereas another site of another part of a connection unit, is connected directly to RF circuitry, for enabling RF signal transfer between the RF circuitry and the second rigid part.
  • connection unit comprises more than two parts of which at least two are movable around an axis of rotation in relation to one another.
  • the portable communication device may be any kind of portable communication device containing multiple housing parts that can be moved in relation to one another.
  • portable communication devices are flap-mobile phones, jack-knife mobile phones to mention a few.
  • a radio communication unit having a coaxial connection unit including parts that are rotatable in relation to one another, folding of said radio communication unit is enabled.
  • Another advantage by using a semi-rigid radio communication unit is that is has better RF performance relative flexible RF cables.
  • the semi-rigid radio communication unit obtains a lower insertion loss, enhanced shielding and better possibilities for grounding, compared to flexible cables.
  • RF performance may be further increased due to the fact that a larger diameter may be used when using a rigid coaxial cable as compared to when using a flexible cable.
  • the shield of a rigid arm can be soldered directly to a printed wire board (PWB) for instance within the different housing parts of a mobile phone, giving better antenna performance and better interference immunity, that minimised interference between sensitive electrical/electronical parts in the portable communication device.
  • PWB printed wire board
  • the rigid arm will be fixed in the rotation area of the portable communication device, reducing potential problems of conductors being squeezed, reducing the performance of the portable communication device.

Landscapes

  • Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
  • Waveguide Connection Structure (AREA)
  • Crystals, And After-Treatments Of Crystals (AREA)
EP04007526A 2004-03-29 2004-03-29 Coaxial conductor Expired - Lifetime EP1583171B1 (en)

Priority Applications (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT04007526T ATE401674T1 (de) 2004-03-29 2004-03-29 Koaxialleiter
DE602004015066T DE602004015066D1 (de) 2004-03-29 2004-03-29 Koaxialleiter
EP04007526A EP1583171B1 (en) 2004-03-29 2004-03-29 Coaxial conductor
JP2007505401A JP2007531431A (ja) 2004-03-29 2005-02-04 同軸導体
KR1020067022600A KR101259183B1 (ko) 2004-03-29 2005-02-04 동축 컨덕터
PCT/EP2005/001144 WO2005096432A1 (en) 2004-03-29 2005-02-04 Coaxial conductor
BRPI0508275-7A BRPI0508275A (pt) 2004-03-29 2005-02-04 unidade de radiocomunicação, e, dispositivo de comunicação portátil
CNB2005800104014A CN100559650C (zh) 2004-03-29 2005-02-04 同轴导体
TW094106280A TWI360253B (en) 2004-03-29 2005-03-02 Coaxial conductor

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04007526A EP1583171B1 (en) 2004-03-29 2004-03-29 Coaxial conductor

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1583171A1 EP1583171A1 (en) 2005-10-05
EP1583171B1 true EP1583171B1 (en) 2008-07-16

Family

ID=34878185

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04007526A Expired - Lifetime EP1583171B1 (en) 2004-03-29 2004-03-29 Coaxial conductor

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1583171B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN100559650C (zh)
AT (1) ATE401674T1 (zh)
DE (1) DE602004015066D1 (zh)
TW (1) TWI360253B (zh)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2472598B (en) 2009-08-11 2013-10-09 Ge Aviat Systems Ltd Electrical hinge connector
RU2446519C2 (ru) * 2010-06-01 2012-03-27 ОАО "Муромский завод РИП" Трехканальное свч вращающееся сочленение

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2753531A (en) * 1955-06-06 1956-07-03 Sanders Associates Inc Rotary transmission line connection
JPS57168502A (en) * 1981-04-08 1982-10-16 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Multichannel rotary joint
DE8617227U1 (de) * 1986-06-27 1986-08-14 Robert Bosch Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart Verlängerungskabel für ein mit einer Fahrzeugantenne verbundenes Antennenkabel
US6292563B1 (en) * 1998-10-16 2001-09-18 Radioshack Corporation Volume attenuator for flip-style hand-held phone

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TW200607156A (en) 2006-02-16
ATE401674T1 (de) 2008-08-15
DE602004015066D1 (de) 2008-08-28
TWI360253B (en) 2012-03-11
EP1583171A1 (en) 2005-10-05
CN100559650C (zh) 2009-11-11
CN1938896A (zh) 2007-03-28

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