EP1855350B1

EP1855350B1 - Grounding clip and corresponding method

Info

Publication number: EP1855350B1
Application number: EP07114799A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Chao Chen; Tim Kyowski
Original assignee: Research in Motion Ltd
Current assignee: BlackBerry Ltd
Priority date: 2002-11-29
Filing date: 2003-11-28
Publication date: 2012-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 2023-11-28
Also published as: DE60318741T2; HK1081329A1; ATE546854T1; EP1568100B1; EP1568100A2; HK1094094A1; EP1689024A1; AU2003285241A8; ATE384344T1; WO2004051795A2; EP1855350A3; DE60318741D1; AU2003285241A1; EP1689024B1; CN1717841A; DE60318756T2; EP1855350A2; CN100487977C; ATE384343T1; WO2004051795A3

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 present invention relates generally to antenna grounding and mounting technology, and specifically to the mounting and grounding of an antenna in a mobile device. More particularly, the invention relates to a grounding clip for mounting within an antenna tube to enhance antenna grounding.
In order to maximize signal reception and minimize noise, a good ground for an antenna is required. Unfortunately, in many mobile devices where the antenna is stored in a retracted state, proper grounding is not realized. This is generally the result of improper contact between the antenna contact block and a ground in the antenna tube assembly.
Further, even when an antenna does have a ground in a fully retracted position, in many cases this ground is ineffective when the antenna is not completely retracted. This can occur if a user fails to push the antenna completely into its mount, but rather leaves it partially extended.
Another problem with present grounding techniques occurs during assembly of the antenna, where the mounting tube can move axially. This axial movement shifts the fully retracted position of the antenna, resulting in ineffective grounding if the antenna requires a fully retracted position to be grounded properly.
EP-A-0476848 discloses a socket contact assembly comprising a ring shaped tubular body and a spring clip formed by four inwardly extending tines located within the tubular body.
US-A-3383645 discloses a socket contact assembly comprising a ring shaped tubular body and a spring clip formed by a single inwardly extending spring leg located within the tubular body.
US-A-5232382 discloses a socket contact assembly comprising a ring shaped tubular body and a spring clip formed by an opposed pair of inwardly extending beams located within the tubular body.
JP-06097712 A discloses a radio equipment antenna comprising a coil element set at the tip of a wire element. The rear end of the wire element opposite the tip is grounded via a correction circuit.

GENERAL

In a first aspect, the invention provides a grounding clip adapted to be installed into an inner end of an antenna tube to enhance antenna grounding, the grounding clip comprising: a base ring resiliently deformable in a radial direction, said base ring having an outer circumference for contact with the antenna tube and a gap in said base ring for compression of said base ring; and at least one resiliently flexible contact pin being affixed to and extending from a first end of said base ring, angled tabs affixed to and extending from said first end and a second end opposite said first end of said base ring, said angled tabs projecting inwardly from the outer circumference of said base ring, wherein each of said at least one contact pin is adapted to contact a contact block of an antenna along a length of each of said at least one contact pin to enhance antenna grounding.
Preferably, the grounding further comprises two resiliently flexible contact pins.
Preferably, the contact pins are affixed along said base ring at an angle of between 90 and 120 degrees.
Preferably, the at least one contact pin has a bend therein, the at least one contact pin extending inwardly from said outer circumference of said base ring between said bend and said base ring, and extending back towards said outer circumference of said base ring after said bend.
Preferably, the at least one contact pin is formed to be integral to said base ring.
Preferably, the at least one contact pin has a forked end on an end of said at least one contact pin opposite said base ring.
Preferably, the at least one contact pin has a tab at an end of said at least one contact pin opposite said base ring, said tab adapted to bear against said antenna tube.
Preferably, the grounding clip is formed through a progressive stamping die.
Preferably, the at least one contact pin is gold plated and is formed of metal.
Preferably, the at least one grounding clip is curved to fit about the antenna base in a contact area.
In another main aspect, the invention provides a mobile device having an antenna assembly including the grounding clip of the first aspect.
In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of grounding an antenna, comprising: providing a grounding clip adapted to be installed into an inner end of a tube of the antenna, the grounding clip comprising a base ring resiliently deformable in a radial direction, said base ring having an outer circumference for contact with the antenna tube and a gap in said base ring for compression of said base ring; and at least one resiliently flexible contact pin being affixed to and extending from a first end of said base ring, and angled tabs affixed to and extending from said first end of said base ring and a second end opposite said first end of said base ring, said angled tabs projecting inwardly from the outer circumference of said base ring; the method further comprising arranging each of said at least one contact pin to contact a contact block of an antenna along a length of each of said at least one contact pin to enhance antenna grounding:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the antenna tube and mount assembly of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the antenna tube and mount assembly;
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the contact end of the antenna tube and mount;
Figure 4 is a rear side elevational view of the grounding clip of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a top perspective view of the grounding clip of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of the grounding clip;
Figure 7 is a top plan view of the grounding clip;
Figure 8 is a front side elevational view of the grounding clip;
Figure 9 is a left side elevational view of the grounding clip;
Figure 10 is a partial cross sectional view of the tube and grounding clip of the present invention;
Figure 11 is a partial cross sectional view of the tube and grounding clip of the present invention showing more of the tube;
Figure 12 is a partial cross sectional view of the tube and grounding clip of Figure 11 rotated to a different angle;
Figure 13 is an end view of the tube and grounding clip of Figure 11;
Figure 14 is a partial cross sectional view of the tube and grounding clip of the present invention;
Figure 15 is a schematical cross-sectional view of the tube and grounding clip of the present invention;
Figure 16 is a schematical plan view of an alternative contact pin for the grounding clip of the present invention;
Figure 17 is a schematical plan view of another alternative contact pin for the grounding clip of the present invention;
Figure 18 is a cross sectional view of the flange and groove assembly of the present invention; and
Figure 19 is a schematical cross-sectional view of the tube assembly of the present invention including waterproofing components.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Reference is now made to Figures 1 and 2. Figures 1 and 2 show a tube assembly 10 for a retractable antenna 25. Tube assembly 10 includes an outer metal wall 12 that is formed to a precise inner diameter ensuring very little deviation.
Tube assembly 10 is mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) 14 using surface mount technology clips (SMT) 16. SMT clips provide an electrical contact between tube assembly 10 and PCB 14.
Antenna 25 includes an external protective sheath 30 at the antenna's outer tip, an antenna shaft 32, and a contact block 34 (seen more clearly in Figure 3). Antenna 25 is held at the shaft's upper end to the hand held device using a mount 36. Mount 36 provides some stability for antenna 25 and further provides some weather protection for tube assembly 10 to limit the ingress of water.
A user can extend antenna 25 by pulling external sheath 30 outwardly relative to the hand held device. This causes antenna shaft 32 to move through mount 36, pulling antenna contact block 34 with it. Contact block 34 moves from a position near the inner end 18 of tube assembly 10 to a position towards the outer end 20 of tube assembly 10.
Similarly, retraction is performed by pushing external protective sheath 30 towards the hand held device, causing antenna contact block 34 to move towards inner end 18 of tube assembly 10.
In order to facilitate grounding, the present invention is provided with a conductive and typically metal grounding clip 40. Grounding clip 40 is best seen in Figures 3 to 15.
Clip 40 consists of at least one, but preferably two resiliently flexible contact pins 42 connected to or formed integrally with a base ring 44.
In operation, grounding clip 40 is installed into the inner open end 18 of tube assembly 10. Tube assembly 10 is formed with a circumferentially extending groove 46 that is used to hold grounding clip 40 in place. Specifically, clip 40 can be inserted into tube 10 until base ring 44 snap fits securely into the space between groove 46 and the tube's inwardly curved lip 48 with both the insertion of the clip and, if necessary, its removal, being facilitated by the angled tabs 41 at the inner and outer ends of the base ring 44.
The end of tube assembly 10 is preferably formed into a tapered lip 48. Clip 40 is then installed into the space between groove 46 and lip 48 using some elastic deformation of the clip to fit it over lip 48. Preferably, a small jig is used to accomplish this insertion. Grounding clip 40 is thus locked in place between the tapered lip 48 of tube assembly 10 and groove 46.
Each contact pin 42 is essentially dog legged in shape which provides for clearance between each pin and groove 46 and allows the longer portion 43 of each pin to taper from the dog leg's apex 52 to tab 50 that is adapted to bear against the tube 10's inner surface. The surface 55 of each pin portion 43 between apex 52 and tab 50 is a flexible contact area for making electrical contact between clip 40 and contact block 34 at the inner end of the antenna's shaft as the antenna is fully or partially retracted.
Reference is now made to Figure 15. Figure 15 shows that if antenna contact block 34 is located between points 54 and 56 of contact area 55, contact pin 42 makes physical and electrical contact with the antenna contact block 34. Contact pin 42 is preferably gold plated within this area to ensure optimal contact and hence grounding.
Grounding clip 40 is preferably formed through a progressive stamping die. This ensures that the clip has very well controlled dimensions for consistent installation within each tube assembly 10. This ensures that pins 42 have very good repeatable positions when compared between one tube assembly 10 and another.
The slope between points 54 and 56 is designed to produce an optimal contact area. This is done by ensuring that the contact area 55 is as long as possible, and that contact pin 42 is resiliently flexible. This assembly creates a long contact area 55 that produces more chances for the grounding of antenna 25. Specifically, antenna 25 does not need to be fully retracted into the tube in order to achieve proper grounding.
In a preferred embodiment, clip 40 includes two contact pins 42. The use of two pins ensures that proper contact is maintained with antenna contact block 34 by providing a three contact grounding. The first two contact points are between block 34 and the two contact areas 55 on contact pins 42. Further, the spring forces produced by contact pins 42 on antenna contact block 34 will force antenna contact block 34 into contact with the inside of tube assembly 10, created a third grounding point as shown most clearly in Figure 15. The optimal configuration for contact pins 42 will not be diametrically opposed to one another, but rather at an angle of between 90 and 120 degrees from one another.
One skilled in the art will realize that other configurations for contact pins 42 are possible. One contact pin could, for example, be used as long as the pin was sufficiently stable to provide a good contact area 55. Reference is now made to Figures 16 and 17, which show alternative configurations for contact pin 42. In Figure 16, a contact pin 42 is shown with a forked end 43. Forked end 43 provides sufficient stability to ensure contact pin 42 does not move when antenna contact block 34 is retracted.
Alternatively, contact pin 42 can be curved, as illustrated in Figure 17. Figure 17 shows contact pin 42 with a single contact point 55 at one end. However, contact area 55 is curved to fit around antenna contact block 34, ensuring contact pin 42 is not moved to the side of antenna contact block 34 when antenna 25 is retracted.
Grounding is further facilitated through the mounting of tube assembly 10 onto PCB 14. As indicated above, tube assembly 10 is mounted to PCB 14 using surface mount technology clips 16. Two SMT clips 16 are used, and these clips 16 connect to associated clips on PCB 14. Clips 16 will hold tube assembly 10 in the X and Y directions. The combination of two clips will restrict rotation in the X and Y axes.
Reference is now made to Figure 18. The present invention further includes a radially extending flange 60 at the front or upper end of tube assembly 10. Flange 60 fits into a groove 62 cut into PCB 14. The combination of flange 60 and groove 62 ensures that tube assembly 10 will not move in the tube's axial direction.
One advantage of the above mounting technique is that contact performance will be improved. If the tube were allowed to move axially, the retraction point of antenna contact block 34 would vary, thus making accurate grounding more difficult to achieve. The use of flange 60 and groove 62, which can both be manufactured for high precision, ensures that tube assembly 10 is always mounted correctly in the axial direction. This mounting technique only allows rotation about the axis of the tube assembly 10. This does not affect the contact of retracted antenna 25, and thus does not affect the grounding performance.
After the tube is completely assembled, one skilled in the art will appreciate that plastic components in the housing will also aid in holding the tube assembly 10 in the correct position.
The present invention further provides for improved waterproofing by providing a tube 70 within tube assembly 10. Water may enter tube assembly 10 from mount 36 when antenna 25 is retracted. This is overcome by plastic tube 70 and cap 72.
Reference is made to Figure 19. Tube 70 is preferably fabricated from plastic and is affixed to mount 36. Tube 70 extends from mount 36 to contact area 55. Preferably, a small gap exists between tube 70 and tube assembly 10 to facilitate insertion of plastic tube 70 into tube assembly 10. Further, even after the housing of the mobile device is closed, plastic tube 70 can be inserted into tube assembly 10 using the opening for mount 36.
In operation, water that may collect on shaft 30 because of rain can be pushed into mount 36 when antenna 25 is retracted. This water will stay in tube 70 rather than contact the side of tube assembly 10.
Further waterproofing is accomplished by adding a cap 72 at the end of tube assembly 10. Cap 72 can be comprised of metal or plastic, and fits snugly on the end of tube assembly 10, thus providing a seal.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are meant to be illustrative of preferred embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Also, various modifications, which would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. The only limitations to the scope of the present invention are set forth in the following claims appended hereto.

Industrial applicability

The present invention is directed at the mounting and grounding of an antenna in a mobile device.

Claims

A grounding clip (40) adapted to be installed into an inner end of an antenna tube (12) to enhance antenna grounding, the grounding clip (40) comprising:
a base ring (44) resiliently deformable in a radial direction, said base ring (44) having an outer circumference for contact with the antenna tube (12) and a gap in said base ring (44) for compression of said base ring (44); and

at least one resiliently flexible contact pin (42) being affixed to and extending from a first end of said base ring (44),

wherein each of said at least one contact pin (42) is adapted to contact a contact block (34) of an antenna (25) along a length of each of said at least one contact pin (42) to enhance antenna grounding,

characterised in angled tabs (41) affixed to and extending from said first end and a second end opposite said first end of said base ring (44), said angled tabs (41) projecting inwardly from the outer circumference of said base ring (44).
The grounding clip (40) of claim 1, wherein said grounding clip (40) comprises two resiliently flexible contact pins (42).
The grounding clip (40) of claim 2, wherein said contact pins (42) are affixed along said base ring (44) at an angle of between 90 and 120 degrees.
The grounding clip (40) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least one contact pin (42) has a bend (52) therein, said at least one contact pin (42) extending inwardly from said outer circumference of said base ring (44) between said bend (52) and said base ring (44), and extending back towards said outer circumference of said base ring (44) after said bend (52).
The grounding clip (40) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said at least one contact pin (42) is formed to be integral to said base ring (44).
The grounding clip (40) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said at least one contact pin (42) has a forked end (43) on an end of said at least one contact pin (42) opposite said base ring (44).
The grounding clip (40) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said at least one contact pin (42) has a tab (50) at an end of said at least one contact pin (42) opposite said base ring (44), said tab (50) adapted to bear against said antenna tube (12).
The grounding clip (40) of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said grounding clip (40) is formed through a progressive stamping die.
The grounding clip (40) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one contact pin (42) is gold plated.
The grounding clip (40) of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said grounding clip (40) is formed of metal.
The grounding clip (40) of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said at least one grounding clip (40) is curved to fit about the antenna base (34) in a contact area (55).
A mobile device having an antenna assembly including the grounding clip (40) of any one of claims 1 to 11.
A method of grounding an antenna, comprising:
providing a grounding clip (40) adapted to be installed into an inner end of a tube (12) of the antenna, the grounding clip (40) comprising a base ring (44) resiliently deformable in a radial direction, said base ring (44) having an outer circumference for contact with the antenna tube (12) and a gap in said base ring (44) for compression of said base ring (44); and at least one resiliently flexible contact pin (42) being affixed to and extending from a first end of said base ring (44),

the method further comprising arranging each of said at least one contact pin (42) to contact a contact block (34) of an antenna along a length of each of said at least one contact pin (42) to enhance antenna grounding,

characterised in the grouding clip (40) further comprising angled tabs (41) affixed to and extending from said first end of said base ring (44) and a second end opposite said first end of said base ring (44), said angled tabs (41) projecting inwardly from the outer circumference of said base ring (44).