JP2007028381A - Wireless communication unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless communication unit which is small-sized, thinned and lightweight while ensuring high wireless characteristics without newly increasing an antenna for covering an expanding frequency band. <P>SOLUTION: A wireless communication unit comprises a housing 1 including a circuit board 40 and a plurality of cover-like housing members 11, 12 protecting the substrate, a conductive binding member 49a for binding and fixing the cover-like housing members, and a conductive engaging member 25 disposed within the housing so as to be screwed and engaged with the binding member 49a for fastening. When the binding member 49a is engaged with the engaging member 25 and fastened, the plurality of cover-like housing members 11, 12 are fastened and fixed with each other, the fastening member 49a is electrically connected to the engaging member 25, and the fastening member 49a and the engaging member 25 integrally configure an antenna. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radio communication device, and more particularly to a radio communication device suitable for a mobile phone or the like that includes a plurality of antennas and that has a plurality of housing parts fastened with screws (screw members) to form the housing.

  In conventional wireless communication devices, it is known that a diversity system or the like is possible by incorporating an antenna in addition to a monopole antenna that can be taken in and out, but in order to obtain high antenna performance, metal wires or sheet metal are used. In general, antenna components such as configured antenna elements and chip antennas are arranged.

  However, in such a wireless communication device, the antenna element or the antenna component has a large exclusive volume, and in order to obtain higher antenna performance, the distance from the surrounding metal object is taken, and the influence of the human body at the time of use. It is necessary to dispose in a difficult position, which has been an adverse effect of reducing the size, thickness and weight of the wireless communication device.

  In order to solve this problem, in the folding portable wireless device described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-156898), a plurality of holes are provided in the antenna disposed on almost the entire surface of the upper housing, and By adopting a built-in method in which a display unit and a microphone unit are embedded in the portable wireless device, the portable wireless device is made thinner and lighter.

  Further, in the personal communication device described in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-326719), a structure in which an input pen to an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) integrated transparent tablet is a detachable transmission / reception antenna from the main body. In addition, the housing is miniaturized by using both the input pen and the antenna.

  FIG. 9 shows the back side of a conventional wireless communication device that is a foldable mobile phone. This wireless communication device can open and close a lower casing 1 having an operation section and a voice input section (not shown), an upper casing 2 having a display screen and a voice output section (not shown), and both casings 1 and 2. In addition to the cellular antenna 15 used for voice communication, for example, a circuit board 13 on which a chip antenna 16 for Bluetooth (registered trademark) is mounted is incorporated in the lower housing 1. Yes.

  The circuit board 13 includes matching circuits 31 and 32 connected to the antennas 15 and 16, and transmission / reception circuits 33 and 34 connected to the matching circuits 31 and 32, respectively. The circuit board 13 is protected by a cover casing 11 and a case casing 12 (hereinafter also referred to as cover-shaped casing members 11 and 12), which are a plurality of cover-shaped casing members of the wireless communication device. The cover-like casing members 11 and 12 are integrally fastened and fixed at substantially four corners by a plurality of screws 18a and 18b and 19a and 19b.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) sheet metal antenna 17, a matching circuit 35, and a transmission / reception circuit 36 are provided on a circuit board 14 built in the lower housing 1. Recently, those with a Bluetooth function have been widely used.
JP 2001-156898 A JP-A-9-326719

  However, in recent years, a plurality of wireless communication circuits with different communication methods such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), W-LAN (Wireless-Local Area Network), GPS (Global Positioning System), etc. are mounted on one wireless communication device. Since the frequency band used in wireless communication has been expanded, it has been difficult to cover all frequency bands with one antenna. On the other hand, the required frequency band was covered by a plurality of corresponding antennas having different frequency bands, but when such a plurality of antennas are arranged, for example, when an antenna component such as a chip antenna is used. This results in a reduction in the board mounting area, and when an element is formed of sheet metal or the like, an area for arranging the element in the housing is required. Further, in any case, the wireless communication device is adversely affected by downsizing, thinning, and weight reduction.

  In addition, in order to suppress the mutual interference of a plurality of antennas, a certain distance is required between the antennas. Normally, however, screws for fastening and fixing cover-like casing members to the corners of the casing are usually used. This hinders antenna placement.

  Furthermore, it is not preferable that the communication device having the input pen as described in Patent Document 2 is not applicable to other wireless communication devices that do not have the input pen.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described problems, and reduces the size, thickness, and weight while ensuring high wireless characteristics without increasing the number of antennas to cover a wide frequency band that is expanding. An object is to provide a wireless communication device.

  In order to solve the above problems, a wireless communication device of the present invention includes a circuit board, a casing made of a plurality of cover-like casing members that protect the circuit board, and a plurality of cover-like casing members of the casing. A conductive fastening member for fastening and fixing, and a conductive engagement member disposed in the housing so as to be screw-engaged to the fastening member so as to be fastened. When the engagement member is engaged and tightened, the plurality of cover-like housing members are fastened and fixed together, the fastening member is electrically connected to the engagement member, and the fastening member and the engagement member are The antenna is integrally formed.

  With this configuration, a fastening member that is not originally an antenna for fixing the casing or the substrate of the wireless communication device can function as an antenna. In addition, the fastening members are often arranged exclusively in the corners of the housing, and are often covered with housing materials such as resin, so that it is easy to secure the distance from the surrounding metal objects and high wireless characteristics are obtained. It is done. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a wireless communication device that is small, thin, and lightweight with high wireless characteristics without newly increasing the number of antennas in order to cover an expanding wide frequency band.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the circuit board and the engaging member are clamped and electrically connected when the fastening member is engaged and tightened with the engaging member. With this configuration, electrical connection between the circuit board and the fastening member and the engaging member is facilitated.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable to have a contact arm portion that is bent while either one of the engagement member and the circuit board is in contact with the other. With this configuration, a stable holding state of the circuit board can be maintained.

  The fastening member may be electrically connected to an engaging member made of sheet metal. With this configuration, it is possible to stably ensure mechanical coupling and electrical connection.

  Moreover, the said fastening member may be electrically connected to the engaging member which consists of a metal part vapor-deposited on the said housing | casing. With this configuration, not only can the electrical connection be stably secured, but further reduction in size, thickness and weight can be achieved.

  In the wireless communication device of the present invention, the fastening member may be, for example, a screw that is screw-coupled, and may include a circuit board pattern that adjusts the length of the connecting portion between the screw and the transmission / reception circuit. Good. In addition, one or both ends of the screw may include a metal or conductor portion whose length is adjusted, and in that case, the antenna may have high antenna performance in a desired frequency band regardless of the shape of the screw. it can.

  According to the radio communication device of the present invention, the fastening structure of the housing and the substrate is devised, and the radio is reduced in size, thickness, and weight without increasing the number of antennas newly to cover the expanding frequency band. A communication device can be provided. Moreover, since the fastening member is usually disposed on the corner side of the housing and is often covered with housing resin or the like, it is easy to secure a distance from the surrounding metal objects, and high wireless characteristics can be obtained.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 3 are diagrams showing a wireless communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and illustrate an example of a foldable mobile phone. Since this embodiment has the same or similar components as those of the conventional example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the same reference numerals as those of the conventional example will be used for those portions.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment includes a lower housing 1 having an operation unit and a voice input unit (not shown), and an upper side having a display screen and a voice output unit (not shown). It consists of a housing 2 and a hinge portion 3 that couples both housings 1 and 2 so that they can be opened and closed. Both housings 1 and 2 are mainly made of a non-metallic material such as a resin.

  A cellular antenna (a monopole antenna that can be extended and accommodated in the illustrated state) 15 used for voice communication is mounted on the lower housing 1, for example, a circuit board 40 on which a built-in antenna 41 described later is mounted. ing.

  The circuit board 40 includes matching circuits 31 and 42 connected to the antennas 15 and 41, and transmission / reception circuits 33 and 43 connected to the matching circuits 31 and 42, respectively. The circuit board 40 is protected by cover-like housing members 11 and 12, and these cover-like housing members 11 and 12 are integrally fastened at substantially four corners by a plurality of screws 48a and 48b and 49a and 49b. It is fixed.

  That is, the wireless communication device of this embodiment includes a circuit board 40, screws 48a, 48b and 49a, 49b, matching circuits 31, 42, and transmission / reception circuits 33, 43 disposed in the lower housing 1. Has been.

  Here, the plurality of screws 48a, 48b and 49a, 49b are fastening members for fastening and fixing the plurality of cover-like housing members 11, 12 of the lower housing 1 by screw coupling, Of these, at least one screw, for example, screw 49a, is a conductive fastening member. The conductive screw 49a is disposed in place of the antenna such as the Bluetooth (registered trademark) chip antenna 16 or the sheet metal antenna 17 in the conventional example, and is connected to a matching circuit 42. The matching circuit 42 is a transmission / reception circuit. 43. Note that the transmission / reception circuits 33 and 43 may be configured as part of the same transmission / reception circuit.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a support nut 25 (engagement member) is integrally attached to the cover-like member 11 of the lower housing 1 by insert molding or outsert molding. And the matching circuit 42 are used for connection. That is, in this case, after the screw 49a is inserted into the stepped screw hole 12a (see FIG. 2) formed in the cover-like housing member 12 on the back side and engaged with the support nut 25, the support nut 25 and the circuit are connected. The screw 49a is tightened while contacting the connection wiring pattern portion 42a of the matching circuit 42 mounted on the substrate 40, and the screw 49a and the matching circuit 42 are connected.

  Specifically, the support nut 25 and the circuit board 40 are connected, for example, when the surface portion of the nut and the land portion 40a on the surface of the substrate are in contact, and the land portion 40a and the matching circuit 42 are connected by the connection wiring pattern portion 42a. Has been.

  In addition, although the example using a support nut was shown in the present embodiment, the metal part connecting the screw and the circuit board is not limited to the support nut, and other than that, a resin such as a metal foil or a metal-deposited metal, etc. Can be used.

  FIG. 3 illustrates an example of such another connection mode, and shows an example in which a sheet metal is used as an engaging member for connecting the screw 49a and the matching circuit 42. The connection sheet metal 22 is bent so that the longitudinal cross-section thereof is substantially U-shaped and is formed with a female screw corresponding to the male screw of the screw 49a, and is screwed to the screw 49a at the female screw hole 22c. Further, the connection sheet metal 22 is made of a conductive leaf spring material, and the one end 22a side has a predetermined pressure (contact pressure) and is bent while contacting the circuit board 40. Fastened and fixed to Thus, the screw 49a is connected to the matching circuit 42 on the circuit board 40 via the connection sheet metal 22.

  Further, the housing fixing screw 49a of the present embodiment has a size (length, volume) and a support nut 25 so that the antenna operates integrally with the support nut 25 at a frequency of a signal transmitted / received by the transmission / reception circuit 43. And has a combined shape.

  In FIG. 2, a screw concealing cover member (not shown) for covering the upper surface of the head of the screw 49a is mounted in the stepped screw hole 12a of the cover-like housing member 12, and the head of the screw 49a is attached. The part sinks slightly inward from the outer surface of the lower housing 1. That is, the head of the screw 49a is not touched by the operator of the wireless communication device.

  Next, the operation will be described.

  In the present embodiment, after engaging the screw 49 a and the support nut 25 and then tightening the screw 49 a while bringing the support nut 25 and the circuit board 40 into contact with each other, the matching circuit 42 mounted on the screw 49 a and the circuit board 40. The connection wiring pattern portion 42 a is electrically connected through the support nut 25.

  In this connection state, it was confirmed by actual measurement that the antenna voltage standing wave ratio (hereinafter also referred to as VSWR) characteristic as shown in FIG. 4 can be obtained. In this case, the antenna was operated at a frequency of the Bluetooth (registered trademark) band (2.4000 GHz to 2.4835 GHz). As shown in the figure, it can be seen that VSWR ≦ 2 in this frequency band and high antenna performance.

  As described above, in the wireless communication device of the present embodiment, the screw 49a that is not originally an antenna for fixing the lower housing 1 and the circuit board 40 also functions as an antenna. Since it is arranged in the corner and covered with a housing material such as resin (including the screw concealing cover member), it is easy to secure a distance from the surrounding metal object, and high radio characteristics can be obtained. The wireless communication device can be reduced in size, thickness, and weight with high wireless characteristics without newly increasing the number of antennas to cover a wide frequency band.

  In this embodiment, when the screw 49a is engaged with the support nut 25 and tightened, the circuit board 40 is clamped by the support nut 25 portion of the cover-like casing member 11 and the cover-like casing member 12. However, since the support nut 25 is electrically connected, electrical connection between the circuit board 40 and the screws 49a and the support nut 25 is facilitated.

  Further, in the connection mode as shown in FIG. 3, the connection sheet metal 22 is elastically pressed against the circuit board 40 (either one of the engagement member and the circuit board is on the other) with a predetermined contact pressure. Since the curved end portion 22a (abutting arm portion) is curved, the circuit board 40 maintaining a stable holding state and the mechanical connection between the screw 49a electrically connected to the connection metal plate 22 and Electrical connection can be secured stably. In addition, a fastening member such as a screw 49a is electrically connected to an engaging member made of a metal part fixed to a part of the casings 1 and 2 by vapor deposition or the like instead of a part such as a nut. However, not only can the electrical connection be stably secured, but further reduction in size, thickness and weight can be achieved.

  In the wireless communication device of the present invention, a conductor portion such as a circuit board pattern for adjusting the length or a metal for adjusting the length is interposed in the connection portion between the screw 49a as the fastening member and the transmission / reception circuit 43. In this case, high antenna performance can be provided in a desired frequency band regardless of the shape of the screw 49a. However, the fastening member is not limited to the screw 49a, and may have a fastening structure similar to a screw connection for fastening the male fastening member to the female engaging member. Further, other screws, for example, the screw 49b, can be used for other purposes such as a built-in antenna for a W-LAN or a diversity antenna.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the wireless communication device according to the second embodiment of the present invention as seen from the back side thereof.
The wireless communication apparatus according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the above-described first embodiment, and the form of connection between the screw 49a and the matching circuit 42 is different from that of the above-described embodiment. Therefore, only the difference will be described.

  In general, the length of the antenna is preferably at least one eighth of the wavelength of the signal radiated from the antenna.

  However, since the length of the screw 49a is limited within the thickness of the lower housing 1, the length of the screw 49a may be limited to 1/8 or less of the wavelength of the signal radiated from the antenna. . Therefore, in this embodiment, by adding the antenna length adjusting substrate pattern 51 between the screw 49a and the matching circuit 42, the length from the matching circuit 42 to the tip of the screw is transmitted from the transmission / reception circuit 43. The configuration is such that the signal wavelength is 1/8 or more. Here, the adjustment substrate pattern 51 is obtained by appropriately turning back the wiring pattern on the circuit board 40 to ensure the pattern length and antenna characteristics, and the pattern shape is determined according to the required antenna characteristics.

  In the wireless communication device of this embodiment, since the antenna length adjustment substrate pattern 51 is provided, the length of the screw 49a is equal to or less than 1/8 of the wavelength of the signal radiated from the antenna. In this case, high antenna characteristics can be obtained, and the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be expected.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are perspective views showing the main part of a wireless communication apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
As described above, the length of the antenna should be at least one-eighth of the wavelength of the signal radiated from the antenna, but the length of the screw 49a is limited within the thickness of the lower housing 1. In some cases, the length of the screw 49a is limited to 1/8 or less of the wavelength of the signal radiated from the antenna. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the length of the screw 49a is 1/8 or less of the wavelength of the signal radiated from the antenna, a metal or conductor portion is added to one end or both ends of the screw 49a, and the antenna The length can be set to 1/8 or more of the wavelength of the signal transmitted from the transmission / reception circuit 43.

  FIG. 6 shows an example in which a length adjusting sheet metal 23 is added to one end side (inner end side) of the screw 49a connected to the transmission / reception circuit 43. The length adjusting sheet metal 23 has an arbitrary length. Thus, the length from the matching circuit 42 to the tip of the screw 49a is set to 1/8 or more of the wavelength of the signal transmitted from the transmission / reception circuit 43. The length adjusting sheet metal may also be used as the connection sheet metal 22 of FIG. 3 shown in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 7 shows an example in which a length adjusting sheet metal is added to one end (outer end side) of the screw 49a opposite to the side connected to the transmission / reception circuit 43. By setting the length adjusting sheet metal 24 to an arbitrary length, the length from the matching circuit 42 to the tip of the screw 49a including the length adjusting sheet metal 24 (the left end of the length adjusting sheet metal 25 in FIG. 7). The length is set to 1/8 or more of the wavelength of the signal transmitted from the transmission / reception circuit 43. The length adjusting sheet metal 24 is located on the inner side of the head of the screw 49a that does not protrude from the outer surface of the lower housing 1.

  FIG. 8 shows measured characteristics of the antenna voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) in the wireless communication apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the antenna is operated at a frequency of the Bluetooth (registered trademark) band (2.4000 GHz to 2.4835 GHz). As shown in the figure, it can be seen that VSWR ≦ 2 in this frequency band, and that the antenna performance is high.

  Thus, even in the wireless communication device of this embodiment, high antenna characteristics can be exhibited even when the length of the screw 49a is 1/8 or less of the wavelength of the signal radiated from the antenna.

  In the present embodiment, the length adjusting sheet metal 24 is exemplified as the metal or conductor portion provided on the outer end side of the screw 49a. However, such a metal or conductor portion mounted on the wireless communication device of the present invention is It is not limited to sheet metal, but may be a metal foil or a metal vapor deposited resin provided in the lower housing.

  As described above, the wireless communication device of the present invention enables the common use of an electronic component having a metal or conductor portion that is not an antenna and an antenna, and the frequency band (Bluetooth (registered trademark), Without increasing the number of antennas to cover W-LAN, GPS, etc., it is possible to provide a wireless communication device with high wireless characteristics that is reduced in size, thickness, and weight, and costs are reduced. The present invention is advantageous, and is useful for wireless communication devices, in particular, wireless communication devices that include a plurality of antennas and that have a plurality of housing parts fastened with screws (screw members) to form the case.

The perspective view which looked at the radio | wireless communication apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention from the back side Sectional drawing which shows the principal part structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention The perspective view which shows the principal part structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention Antenna VSWR characteristic diagram according to the first embodiment of the present invention The perspective view which looked at the radio | wireless communication apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention from the back side The perspective view which shows the principal part structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention The perspective view which shows the principal part structure of the deformation | transformation aspect of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Antenna VSWR characteristic diagram according to the third embodiment of the present invention The perspective view which looked at the radio communication machine of the conventional example from the back side The perspective view which looked at the radio communication machine of other conventional examples from the back side

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lower housing | casing 2 Upper housing | casing 11 Cover housing | casing (cover-shaped housing member) of a radio communication apparatus
12 Case body of radio communication equipment (cover-like housing member)
15 Cellular antenna 21 Antenna length adjustment substrate pattern 22 Connection sheet metal (engagement member)
22a One end (contact arm part)
23 Antenna length adjusting sheet metal 23a One end (contact arm portion)
24 Antenna length adjustment sheet metal 25 Support nut (engaging member)
31 Matching circuit for cellular antenna 33 Transmitting and receiving circuit 40 Circuit board 41 Built-in antenna 42 Antenna matching circuit including screw 43 Transmitting and receiving circuit 49a Screw (fastening member)
48a, 48b, 49b screw

Claims (6)

A circuit board;
A housing made of a plurality of cover-like housing members for protecting the circuit board;
A conductive fastening member for fastening and fixing a plurality of cover-like housing members of the housing;
A conductive engagement member disposed in the housing so as to be threadably engaged with the fastening member; and
When the fastening member is engaged with the engaging member and tightened, the plurality of cover-like housing members are fastened and fixed, and the fastening member is electrically connected to the engaging member, and the fastening member And a radio communication device, wherein the engaging member is integrated to form an antenna.   2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein when the fastening member is engaged and tightened with the engaging member, the circuit board and the engaging member are clamped and electrically connected. .   3. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a contact arm portion that is bent while one of the engagement member and the circuit board is in contact with the other. 4.   The engagement member abuts on a part of the wiring on the circuit board, and is electrically connected to a transmission / reception circuit provided on the circuit board via the wiring. The wireless communication device according to any one of the above.   The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fastening member is electrically connected to an engagement member made of sheet metal. 5. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening member is electrically connected to an engagement member made of a metal portion deposited on the casing.

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