JP2001136012A - Antenna device and mobile communication equipment provided with the antenna device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an antenna device by which antenna diversity reception is attained in a contained state where an antenna characteristic is deteriorated in the contained state of an antenna without the need for addition of a new sub antenna and a high diversity effect can be obtained in a speech state when the antenna is mounted on a human body and to provide a mobile communication equipment provided with this antenna system. SOLUTION: An antenna element consists of a 1st antenna element 5 that is projected from a case 3 when the element is contained in the case 3 and of a 2nd antenna element 4 that is placed in the case. When the antenna element is contained in the case 3. An antenna conductor 25 forming a loop antenna with the 2nd antenna element when the antenna element is contained in the case 3 is provided in the case 3. The connection of the 1st antenna element or the 2nd antenna element is switched depending on a radio wave reception state when the antenna element is contained in the case 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an antenna device, and more particularly to an antenna device such as a telescopic whip antenna suitably used for mobile communication equipment and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in mobile communication devices and the like,
A telescopic whip antenna is used as an antenna device. In this type of antenna device, there is a problem that the antenna efficiency and band characteristics when the antenna is stored are deteriorated compared to when the antenna is extended.

In order to solve this problem, the straight element portion and the coil portion at the tip are electrically separated from each other so that the antenna is not affected by the straight element housed inside when the antenna is housed. is there.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an example of the structure. The mobile communication device 1 shown in these figures has a housing 3
An antenna device 2 is provided to be extendable with respect to the housing 3. As described above, the antenna device 2 includes an antenna element that can be expanded and contracted between the protruding position and the storage position with respect to the housing 3, and the antenna element has a distal end portion as illustrated in FIG. And a linear second antenna element 4 connected to the first antenna element 5 in an insulated state and housed in the housing 3. The second antenna element 4 is covered with a cover 6 over its entire length, and has a lower end (an end on the side located in the housing 3 in the illustrated example) at its lower end. Are mounted in a conductive state.

[0005] At the lower end of the first antenna element 5 is attached an antenna connector 8 insulated from the second antenna element 4. A cover 9 that covers the first antenna element 5 is attached.

An antenna support 10 for attaching the antenna element to the housing 3 is slidably mounted on the antenna element, and the antenna support 10 is fixed to the housing 3. The antenna element is mounted on the housing by being screwed to the antenna mounting bracket 11 provided.

[0007] An antenna support spring 12 is mounted on the inner surface of the antenna support fitting 10 so that the antenna connection fittings 7 and 8 are brought into elastic and conductive contact. When the antenna element is protruded, the antenna connection metal fitting 7 is provided with a flange that engages with the antenna support metal fitting 10 from inside the housing 3 to prevent the antenna element from being detached. When the antenna element is located at the storage position, the antenna support bracket 8 includes the housing 3 on the antenna support bracket 10.
Is formed from the outside to prevent the antenna element from excessively entering the housing 3.

Further, a radio circuit 13 electrically connected to the antenna mounting bracket 11 is provided in the housing 3.

When the antenna element is housed, as shown in FIG. 16, the first antenna element 5 is wirelessly connected via the antenna connecting bracket 8, the antenna supporting spring 12, and the antenna mounting bracket 11. Circuit 1
3 and in a state where the antenna element is protruded, as shown in FIG. 15, the second antenna element is connected via an antenna connection fitting 7, an antenna support spring 12, and an antenna attachment fitting 11. By connecting the antenna 4 to the radio circuit 13, as described above, the antenna is not affected by the second antenna element 4 housed therein when the antenna is housed.

However, even in such an antenna device 2, there still remains a problem that the antenna characteristics are deteriorated when the antenna is stored as compared with when the antenna is extended. Conventionally, various countermeasures such as an antenna diversity reception method have been taken in order to compensate for such deterioration in characteristics when the antenna is housed or unstable radio wave conditions due to fading during movement.

[0011]

However, in order to perform the above-mentioned antenna diversity reception, a sub-antenna is required in addition to the main antenna, which causes many problems such as an increase in storage space and weight, and an increase in cost. was there.

According to the present invention, it is possible to perform antenna diversity reception at the time of storing an antenna having deteriorated antenna characteristics without adding a new sub-antenna, and to obtain an antenna having a high diversity effect even at the time of talking or wearing a human body. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and a mobile communication device provided with the antenna device.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna apparatus having a linear antenna element which is mounted on a housing so as to extend and contract to achieve the above-mentioned object. A first antenna element that is held at a position protruding from the housing in a state where the antenna element is housed in the housing by dividing the antenna element in a length direction thereof and insulating the antenna element from each other; A second antenna element positioned in the housing, and a loop antenna conductor that forms a loop antenna together with the second antenna element when the second antenna element is housed in the housing. And selectively connected to either the first antenna element or the second antenna element. The radio circuit is provided which, and, when said antenna element has been protruded from the housing, connecting the radio circuit to said second antenna element,
Also, an antenna changeover switch is provided for switching the connection between the first antenna element or the second antenna element and the radio circuit according to a radio wave reception state when the antenna element is housed in a housing. It is characterized by becoming. An antenna device according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the first antenna element according to the first aspect is formed in a coil shape. An antenna device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the antenna device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the loop surface of the loop antenna has a user's body when the case is used or when the case is carried. Are provided along a direction substantially orthogonal to The antenna device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is the first to third aspects.
Wherein the loop antenna conductor is configured by an antenna pattern formed on a circuit board mounted in the housing. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the antenna device, the loop antenna conductor according to any one of the first to third aspects is configured by forming a part of the housing with a metal material. It is characterized by the following. In the antenna device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the loop antenna conductor according to any one of the first to third aspects forms a part of a battery case provided in the housing with a metal material. It is characterized by comprising. The antenna device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is the first to third aspects.
Wherein the loop antenna conductor is formed on a part of a battery mounted on the housing, and is formed of a metal material connected to a ground electrode of the battery. . An antenna device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is configured such that when the antenna element according to any one of the first to fifth aspects is housed, the antenna device is brought into contact with one end of the second antenna element. 1, a second feed line that is brought into contact with the other end, a third feed line that is brought into contact with a position near the other end in the middle of the antenna element, and the second feed line or A second antenna changeover switch for selectively connecting a third feeder line to the loop antenna conductor is provided. A mobile communication device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes the antenna device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the same parts as those in FIGS. 15 and 16 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be simplified.

The mobile communication device 20 shown in these figures
The housing 3 is provided with an antenna device 2 provided to be able to expand and contract with respect to the housing 3. As described above, the antenna device 2 includes an antenna element that can be expanded and contracted between the protruding position and the storage position with respect to the housing 3,
The antenna element includes a coil-shaped first antenna element 5 formed at a tip portion, and a linear second antenna element 5 connected to the first antenna element 5 in an insulated state and housed in the housing 3. The second antenna element 4 is covered with a cover 6 over its entire length, and has a lower end (an end on the side located in the housing 3 in the illustrated example). , The antenna connection fitting 7 is attached in a conductive state.

At the lower end of the first antenna element 5, an antenna connector 8 connected to the second antenna element 4 in an insulated state is attached. A cover 9 that covers the first antenna element 5 is attached.

An antenna support 10 for mounting the antenna element on the housing 3 is slidably mounted on the antenna element, and the antenna support 10 is fixed to the housing 3. The antenna element is mounted on the housing by being screwed to the antenna mounting bracket 11 provided.

An antenna support spring 12 is mounted on the inner surface of the antenna support fitting 10 so that the antenna connection fittings 7 and 8 are brought into elastic and conductive contact. When the antenna element is protruded, the antenna connection metal fitting 7 is provided with a flange that engages with the antenna support metal fitting 10 from inside the housing 3 to prevent the antenna element from being detached. When the antenna element is located at the storage position, the antenna support bracket 8 includes the housing 3 on the antenna support bracket 10.
Is formed from the outside to prevent the antenna element from excessively entering the housing 3.

Further, a radio circuit 13 electrically connected to the antenna mounting bracket 11 is provided in the housing 3.

On the other hand, the second antenna element 4
At the end on the first antenna element 5 side, another antenna connection metal fitting 21 is attached, and the antenna connection metal fitting 21 is formed by peeling off a part of the cover 6, The conduction to the second antenna element 4 is established.

The inner surface of the bottom of the housing 3 is coaxial with the antenna mounting bracket 11, and is mounted on the second antenna element 4 when the antenna element is stored as shown in FIG. A holding member 22 to which the antenna connection fitting 7 is fitted and locked is formed.

In the state where the second antenna element 4 is located at the storage position inside the casing 3, as shown in FIG. A power supply spring 23 to be brought into contact is provided, and a power supply spring 24 is provided on the holding member 22 to be electrically connected to the antenna connection fitting 7 fitted and locked to the holding member 22. Further, a substantially U-shaped loop antenna conductor 25 connected between the power supply springs 23 and 24 is provided.

Further, a matching circuit 26 is provided between the one feeding spring 23 and the loop antenna conductor 25, and a matching circuit 26 is provided between the radio circuit 13 and the antenna mounting bracket 11 and the one feeding spring 23. The radio circuit 1
An antenna changeover switch 27 for selectively connecting the antenna 3 to the antenna mounting bracket 11 or one of the power supply springs 23 is provided.

The loop antenna conductor 25 is
When the second antenna element 4 is stored, the two feeding springs 23 and 24 are connected to the antenna fittings 21 and 7, respectively, so that a loop antenna is formed together with the second antenna element 4. Configuration. Further, the loop antenna thus formed is provided so that the loop surface thereof is along one side surface of the housing 3 as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 6, it is configured to be substantially orthogonal to the body of the user during use. This is the same not only during use but also when carrying.

Further, the antenna changeover switch 27
When the antenna element is protruded by a control unit (not shown), the radio circuit 13 is connected to the antenna mounting bracket 11, and when the antenna element is in the storage position, fading or the like is performed. The radio circuit 13 is selectively connected to the antenna mounting bracket 11 and the power supply spring 23 as appropriate in accordance with the reception status of the radio wave that changes every moment.

In the mobile communication device 20 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the antenna element is held in the housing 3 when it is carried, for example. Then, in this state, the second antenna element 4 is connected to the loop antenna conductor 25 via the feeding springs 23 and 24 to form a loop antenna. Here, assuming that the antenna changeover switch 27 connects the wireless circuit 13 to the antenna mounting bracket 11, the reception by the first antenna element 5 is performed. The receiving efficiency is poor, and the receiving efficiency is likely to be reduced due to the influence of the human body.

As described above, when the reception efficiency is reduced in a state where the antenna element is housed, this state is detected by the control unit, and the antenna switch 27 is switched. The wireless circuit 13 is connected to the power supply spring 23. As a result, the wireless circuit 13 is switched to the reception by the loop antenna formed by the second antenna element 4 and the loop antenna conductor 25. Here, the reception by the loop antenna has higher reception efficiency than the reception by the first antenna element 5, so that stable reception can be realized. Moreover, in the present embodiment, since the loop surface of the loop antenna is provided so as to be orthogonal to the human body, the reception efficiency is further improved, and stable reception is possible.

If the reception efficiency of the loop antenna is reduced due to any change in the reception condition, the antenna switch 27 is switched to the reception by the first antenna element 5. As described above, in the present embodiment, diversity reception is performed by one antenna element in a state where the antenna element is housed, and a good reception state can be realized. Therefore, the above-described good reception can be ensured, and the above-described good reception can be performed without increasing the number of components and the installation space.

When the antenna element is used in an extended state, reception is performed by the linear second antenna element 4. However, reception by the second antenna element 4 is generally good. Since the above-described diversity reception is unnecessary, the reception state by only the second antenna element 4 is maintained.

The various shapes, dimensions, and the like of the components shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and can be variously changed based on design requirements and the like. For example, instead of a configuration in which a loop antenna conductor formed by an independent conductor, such as the loop antenna conductor 25, is installed in the housing 3,
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a loop pattern 29 may be formed integrally with a circuit board 28 mounted in the housing 3. With such a configuration, the installation space for the loop antenna can be reduced, and the assembling work can be simplified.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a metal portion may be provided on a part of the side wall of the housing 3 and the metal portion may be used as the loop antenna conductor 30. In such a configuration, it is necessary to provide a power supply spring 31 for connecting the matching circuit 26 and the loop antenna conductor 30.
By integrating with, space can be saved.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12,
A metal part 33 may be provided on a part of the side wall of the battery case 32 provided in the housing 3, and the metal part 33 may be a part of the loop antenna conductor 25. Here, reference numerals 34 and 35 denote feeding springs for electrically connecting the metal portion 33 to other members constituting the loop antenna. Further, the metal part 33 described above can be provided on the battery body. In this case, the present invention can be implemented by forming a metal portion connected to the ground electrode of the battery along the side surface of the battery body.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in the first embodiment, an antenna connection fitting 36 is further provided in the middle of the second antenna element 4, and a feed spring corresponding to the antenna connection fitting 36 is provided. 37
, A matching circuit 38 is connected to the feed spring 37, and another antenna changeover switch 39 is provided between the matching circuit 37 and the matching circuit 26 so as to make contact with the second antenna element 4. By switching the supplied power supply terminal, the loop length of the loop antenna can be changed, and the resonance frequency of the loop antenna can be switched. As a result, it is possible to switch the loop antenna having a relatively narrow band to support a wide range of frequencies.

[0034]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, reception by the first antenna element and formation of the first antenna element and the loop antenna conductor in a state in which the antenna element is housed are formed. Diversity reception by reception with a loop antenna can be performed. Since the reception efficiency of the loop antenna is higher than that of the pole antenna, good reception efficiency can be obtained. Here, by providing the loop surface of the loop antenna so as to be orthogonal to the human body, the reception efficiency is further enhanced, and stable reception is possible. Furthermore, since one antenna element is used, space saving and weight reduction can be achieved, and assembly can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention, and is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where an antenna element is extended.

FIG. 2, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which an antenna element is housed.

FIG. 3, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is an external perspective view illustrating a state where an antenna element is extended.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the present invention, and is an external perspective view showing a state in which an antenna element is housed.

FIG. 5 shows a use state of an embodiment of the present invention.
It is the schematic which shows the state which extended the antenna element.

FIG. 6 shows a use state of an embodiment of the present invention.
It is the schematic which shows the state which accommodated the antenna element.

FIG. 7 shows a modification of the present invention, and is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where an antenna element is extended.

FIG. 8 shows a modification of the present invention, and is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where an antenna element is housed.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another modified example of the present invention and showing a state where an antenna element is extended.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another modification of the present invention and showing a state where an antenna element is housed.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing still another modified example of the present invention and showing a state where an antenna element is extended.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing still another modified example of the present invention and showing a state where an antenna element is housed.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing still another modified example of the present invention and showing a state where an antenna element is extended.

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view showing still another modified example of the present invention and showing a state in which an antenna element is housed.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional example and showing a state where an antenna element is extended.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional example and showing a state in which an antenna element is housed.

[Description of Signs] 1 Mobile communication device 2 Antenna device 3 Housing 4 Second antenna element 5 First antenna element 6 Cover 7 Antenna connection fitting 8 Antenna connection fitting 9 Cover 10 Antenna support fitting 11 Antenna mounting fitting 12 Antenna support Spring 13 Wireless circuit 20 Mobile communication device 21 Antenna connection fitting 22 Holding member 23 Feeding spring 24 Feeding spring 25 Loop antenna conductor 26 Matching circuit 27 Antenna switch 28 Circuit board 29 Loop pattern 30 Loop antenna conductor 31 Feeding spring 32 Battery case 33 Metal Part 34 Power supply spring 35 Power supply spring 36 Antenna connection fitting 37 Power supply spring 38 Matching circuit 39 Antenna changeover switch

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An antenna device comprising a linear antenna element which is attached to a housing so as to be extendable and contractable, wherein the antenna element is divided by a length direction thereof and insulated from each other so that the antenna element is separated from the antenna element. A first antenna element that is held at a position protruding from the housing when housed in the housing, and a second antenna element that is positioned inside the housing, wherein the housing includes the second antenna element; A loop antenna conductor that forms a loop antenna together with the second antenna element when the second antenna element is stored, and selectively connected to either the first antenna element or the second antenna element. Provided, and when the antenna element is projected from the housing, A wire circuit is connected to the second antenna element, and when the antenna element is housed in a housing, the first antenna element is connected to the first antenna element in accordance with a radio wave reception state.
An antenna device comprising an antenna switch for switching the connection between the antenna element or the second antenna element and the wireless circuit. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna element is formed in a coil shape. 3. The loop antenna according to claim 1, wherein a loop surface of the loop antenna is provided along a direction substantially perpendicular to a user's body when using or carrying the housing. Alternatively, the antenna device according to claim 2. 4. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the loop antenna conductor is constituted by an antenna pattern formed on a circuit board mounted in the housing. apparatus. 5. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the loop antenna conductor is formed by forming a part of the housing with a metal material. 6. The loop antenna conductor according to claim 1, wherein a part of a battery case provided in the housing is formed of a metal material. An antenna device according to item 1. 7. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the loop antenna conductor is formed on a part of a battery mounted on the housing, and is formed of a metal material connected to a ground electrode of the battery. The antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 8. When the antenna element is housed, a first feed line that is in contact with one end of the second antenna element, a second feed line that is in contact with the other end, and an antenna. A third feeder that is brought into contact with a position near the other end in the middle of the element, and a second antenna that selectively connects the second feeder or the third feeder to the loop antenna conductor. The antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a changeover switch. 9. A mobile communication device comprising the antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.