JP2007158718A - Portable radio terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable radio terminal which obtains a good antenna performance, irrespective of the open-close state, even using metal connecting members. <P>SOLUTION: The foldable portable telephone comprises a metal hinge mechanism 3 for connecting openably a first frame with a second frame. The hinge mechanism 3 has one end connected to the end of a circuit board 12 disposed in the first frame and the other end connected to the end of a metal LCD frame disposed in the second frame. The circuit board 12 has a contact pattern 13 contacted to the one end of the hinge mechanism 3 and a ground pattern 14 formed thereon. A first and second matching circuits 16, 17 are connected in parallel on the ground pattern 14. Between the other ends of the connected circuits 16, 17 and the contact pattern 13, a switch 15 is inserted to mutually connect the contact pattern 13 and the ground pattern 14 through the first matching circuit 16 with the portable telephone set in the closed state and mutually connect both through the second matching circuit 17 with the telephone set in the open state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable wireless terminal configured by connecting a plurality of casings to each other like a foldable mobile phone.

A conventional foldable mobile phone is configured by connecting a first housing and a second housing so as to be openable and closable via a hinge mechanism. With the recent miniaturization of foldable mobile phones, the hinge mechanism is required to be miniaturized. On the other hand, the hinge mechanism requires a certain level of strength. A hinge mechanism made of this material has been adopted (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-9914 A [H04M 1/02]

  By the way, in a conventional foldable mobile phone, an antenna is provided in one of the first case and the second case, and the circuit board is provided in the other case. Good antenna characteristics in both the open state and the closed state of the mobile phone because the antenna characteristics fluctuate when the distance between the conductor pattern or the metal part and the antenna changes with the opening / closing operation of the mobile phone The adjustment is performed by the matching circuit so that is obtained.

However, when a metal hinge mechanism is employed in a conventional foldable mobile phone, the surface area of the metal portion that moves relative to the antenna further increases with the opening and closing of the mobile phone. The antenna characteristics change greatly between the open state and the closed state. Here, since there is a limit to the adjustment by the matching circuit, it is difficult to adjust the matching circuit so that a good antenna can be obtained in both the open state and the closed state of the mobile phone.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a good antenna regardless of the relative attitude of both housings even in a configuration in which the first housing and the second housing are coupled to each other via a metal coupling member so as to be relatively movable. It is to provide a portable wireless terminal capable of obtaining performance.

The portable wireless terminal according to the present invention includes a pair of casings (1) and (2) connected to each other via a metal connecting member, and the casings (1) and (2) are connected to each other by the connecting member. It is possible to switch to a plurality of relative postures, and an antenna is provided in any one of the cases.
A first circuit board (12) electrically connected to the antenna is disposed in one of the pair of cases (1) and (2), and the other case is provided. Inside the housing, a conductor part constituted by a second circuit board or a metal structure is provided, and one end of the connecting member is electrically connected to the first circuit board (12), and the connecting member The other end is electrically connected to the conductor portion. Further, between the connecting member and the ground portion of the first circuit board (12), a high-frequency coupling degree to the ground portion of the connecting member is set according to the relative postures of the housings (1) and (2). A coupling degree variable setting means for switching and setting an optimum coupling degree that provides the largest antenna gain in each relative attitude is interposed.

  Specifically, a display device and a metal frame member that holds the display device are arranged inside the other casing, and the frame member constitutes the conductor portion. The other end of the connecting member is fastened to the end.

In the portable wireless terminal of the present invention, the metal conductor portion and the connecting member provided in the other casing are changed in accordance with the operation of changing the relative postures of the casings (1) and (2). The relative movement of the antenna disposed in the one housing is performed, but the variable coupling degree setting means has a first circuit of the connecting member according to the relative posture of the two housings (1) and (2). By switching the high-frequency coupling degree with respect to the ground part of the substrate (12), the connecting member is electrically connected to the ground part with an optimum coupling degree that provides the largest antenna gain in each relative posture. Will be.
Therefore, according to the portable wireless terminal of the present invention, good antenna performance can always be obtained regardless of the relative postures of the two cases (1) and (2).

In a specific configuration, among the plurality of passive elements constituting the coupling degree varying means configured by a combination of a plurality of passive elements, and the coupling degree varying means according to the relative postures of the two cases (1) and (2). 1 or a plurality of passive elements, and a coupling degree switching means for connecting the connecting member to the ground portion of the first circuit board 12 via the selected passive elements.
Specifically, the coupling degree variable setting means is composed of a combination of a plurality of passive elements including at least a resistor and an inductance.

In the specific configuration, the coupling degree switching means selects a passive element made of, for example, a resistor from the plurality of passive elements, and the connection member is connected to the ground of the first circuit board (12) through the passive element. When connected to a part, the connection member and the conductor part have a great influence on the antenna performance.
On the other hand, the coupling degree switching means selects a passive element such as an inductor from the plurality of passive elements, and connects the connecting member to the ground portion of the first circuit board (12) via the passive element. In such a case, the influence of the connecting member and the conductor portion on the antenna performance is small.

  In a specific configuration, the coupling degree varying means includes a first matching circuit (16) and a second matching circuit (17) interposed in parallel between the connecting member and the ground portion of the first circuit board (12). ), The first matching circuit (16) is composed of at least a resistor, the second matching circuit (17) is composed of at least an inductor, and the coupling degree switching means includes both housings (1) (2). ) And a switch (15) for switching between the first matching circuit (16) and the second matching circuit (17) in accordance with the detection result of the posture detection means. Is connected to the ground portion of the first circuit board (12) via the first matching circuit (16), and the first circuit board (12) is connected to the connecting member via the second matching circuit (17). It is possible to set the second switching state connected to the ground portion.

  More specifically, the pair of housings (1) and (2) are connected to each other via a metal hinge mechanism (3) so that they can be opened and closed, and the hinge mechanism (3) constitutes the connecting member. In the closed state of both housings (1) and (2), the switch (15) is set to the first switching state, and in the open state, the switch (15) is set to the second switching state.

  In the specific configuration described above, when the portable wireless terminal is set to the closed state, the posture detection unit detects this, and the switch (15) is configured to detect the first according to the detection result of the posture detection unit. One switching state is set. As a result, the conductor portion and the connecting member are electrically connected to the ground portion of the first circuit board (12) via the first matching circuit (16) (for example, a resistor). As a result, the influence of the conductor portion and the connecting member on the antenna performance is great.

  On the other hand, when the portable wireless terminal is set to the open state, the posture detection means detects this, and the switch (15) is set to the second switching state according to the detection result of the posture detection means. Is done. As a result, the conductor part and the connecting member are electrically connected to the ground part of the first circuit board (12) via the second matching circuit (17) (for example, an inductor). As a result, the influence of the conductor portion and the connecting member on the antenna performance is small.

  According to the portable wireless terminal of the present invention, good antenna performance can be obtained regardless of the relative posture between the first housing and the second housing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention applied to a foldable mobile phone will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the foldable mobile phone of the present invention can open and close the first casing (1) and the second casing (2) with each other via a metal hinge mechanism (3). Concatenated. On the surface of the first casing (1) facing the second casing (2), a plurality of operation buttons (11) and (11) are provided, and the first casing of the second casing (2) is provided. A liquid crystal display (21) is provided on the surface facing (1). Also, on the base end side of the first housing (1), there is a built-in antenna (4) for transmitting and receiving high frequency and a whip antenna (4 ') for receiving television broadcasting and FM broadcasting. It is attached. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the whip antenna (4 ′) is mostly extended to the outside of the first housing (1), and most of the whip antenna (4 ′) is inside the first housing (1). It is extendable and retractable between the accommodation positions accommodated in the container.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a magnet (23) is built in the tip of the second casing (2), while a magnetic sensor (18) is built in the tip of the first casing (1). ing. In the open state of the cellular phone shown in FIG. 1, since the magnet (23) is separated from the magnetic sensor (18), the output value of the magnetic sensor (18) is small, whereas the cellular phone shown in FIG. In the closed state, since the magnet (23) approaches the magnetic sensor (18), the output value of the magnetic sensor (18) becomes large. Therefore, the output value of the magnetic sensor (18) changes according to the open / close state of the mobile phone, and the open / close state of the mobile phone can be determined based on the output value of the magnetic sensor (18). It has become.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid crystal display (21) in the second housing (2) is held by a metal LCD frame (22), and inside the first housing (1) A circuit board (12) is provided. The metal hinge mechanism (3) includes a first connecting portion (32) to be connected to an upper end portion of the circuit board (12) in the first casing (1), and a second casing (2). A second connecting portion (33) to be connected to the lower end portion of the LCD frame (22), and a rotating shaft (31) for rotatably connecting the connecting portions (32) and (33) are provided.
The second connecting part (33) of the hinge mechanism (3) and the lower end part of the LCD frame (22) are fastened to each other by two metal screws (34) (34) penetrating each side part. The second connecting portion (33) of the hinge mechanism (3) and the circuit board (12) are joined to each other in a state where the second connecting portion (33) is in contact with the surface of the upper end portion of the circuit board (12). Has been.
A pair of contacts that are in contact with the second connecting portion (33) of the hinge mechanism (3) and are to be electrically connected to the second connecting portion (33) on the surfaces of both sides of the upper end of the circuit board (22) Patterns (13) and (13) are formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a plurality of electronic circuits that exhibit various functions and a ground pattern (14) that constitutes a ground portion of the plurality of electronic circuits are formed on the surface of the circuit board (12). ing. The built-in antenna (4) is electrically connected to the ground pattern (14) via the transmission / reception circuit (41), and contacts the contact patterns (13) (13) which are in contact with the second connecting portion (33) of the hinge mechanism (3). ) And the ground pattern (14), one end of the ground pattern (14) is connected in parallel to change the high-frequency coupling of the hinge mechanism (3) to the ground pattern (14). The first matching circuit (16) and the second matching circuit (17) and either of the matching circuits (16) or (17) depending on the relative attitude of the two cases (1) and (2). A switch (15) for selecting one of the matching circuits and connecting the hinge mechanism (3) to the ground pattern (14) of the first circuit board (12) through the selected matching circuit is provided.

  When the foldable mobile phone according to the present invention is set to the closed state shown in FIG. 2, the output value of the magnetic sensor (18) shown in FIG. 1 becomes large, and the mobile phone is put into the closed state based on the output value. It is determined that it has been set. When it is determined that the cellular phone is set to the closed state, the switch (15) is set to the first switching state as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the contact pattern (13) is set via the switch (15). And the first matching circuit (16) are electrically connected to each other. As a result, the LCD frame (22), the screw (34) and the hinge mechanism (3) are connected to the contact pattern (13), the switch (15), the first switching circuit (16), the ground pattern (16) on the circuit board (12). It is electrically connected to the built-in antenna (4) via 14) and the transmission / reception circuit (41).

  On the other hand, when the cellular phone is operated from the closed state shown in FIG. 2 to the open state shown in FIG. 1, the output value of the magnetic sensor (18) shown in FIG. When the value is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, it is determined that the mobile phone is set to the open state. When it is determined that the cellular phone is set to the open state, the switch (15) is set to the second switching state, and the contact pattern (13) and the second matching circuit (16) are set via the switch (15). Are electrically connected to each other. As a result, the LCD frame (22), screw (34), and hinge mechanism (3) are connected to the contact pattern (13), the switch (15), the second matching circuit (17), and the ground pattern (17) on the circuit board (12). It is electrically connected to the built-in antenna (4) via 14) and the transmission / reception circuit (41).

As described above, since the LCD frame (22), the screw (34), and the hinge mechanism (3) are all made of metal, the LCD frame (22), the screw (34), and the hinge are operated in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the mobile phone. When the mechanism (3) moves closer to or away from the built-in antenna (4), the antenna performance is affected.
Here, the first matching circuit (16) has a high-frequency coupling degree to the ground pattern (14) of the hinge mechanism (3) so that the gain of the built-in antenna (4) is large when the cellular phone is closed. Is optimally adjusted. On the other hand, the second matching circuit (17) has high-frequency coupling with the ground pattern (14) of the hinge mechanism (3) so that the gain of the built-in antenna (4) is high when the cellular phone is in the open state. It has been optimally adjusted.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first matching circuit 16 is composed of a first passive element Z1 (for example, a resistor), and the second matching circuit 17 is composed of a second passive element Z2 (for example, an inductor). Composed.
When the mobile phone is set to the closed state and the switch (15) is set to the first switching state, the hinge mechanism (3) is connected via the first matching circuit (16), that is, the first passive element Z1. Thus, it is electrically connected to the ground pattern (14). As a result, the influence of the LCD frame (22), the screw (34) and the hinge mechanism (3) on the antenna performance is great.

  On the other hand, when the mobile phone is set to the open state and the switch (15) is set to the second switching state, the hinge mechanism (3) is connected to the second matching circuit (17), that is, the second passive element Z2. It is electrically connected to the ground pattern (14) via Here, since the second passive element Z2 exhibits a function of blocking high frequency, the influence on the antenna performance of the LCD frame (22), the screw (34) and the hinge mechanism (3) is small.

In FIG. 9, the switch (15) is omitted from the foldable mobile phone of the present invention, and the contact pattern (13) and the ground pattern (13) are electrically connected to each other via the second matching circuit (17). 4 is a graph showing measurement results of antenna characteristics in an open state and a closed state of a mobile phone configured as described above. As described above, the second matching circuit (17) is coupled in high frequency to the ground pattern (14) of the hinge mechanism (3) so that the gain of the built-in antenna (4) is high when the cellular phone is in the open state. Since the degree is optimally adjusted, it can be seen that when the cellular phone is in the open state, there is little loss over the entire transmission and reception band, and high antenna performance can be obtained.
On the other hand, in the closed state of the mobile phone, it can be seen that the loss is larger than that in the open state, and the antenna performance is degraded.

FIG. 10 also omits the switch (15) from the foldable mobile phone of the present invention, and electrically connects the contact pattern (13) and the ground pattern (13) to each other via the first matching circuit (16). It is a graph which shows the measurement result of the antenna characteristic in the open state and closed state of the mobile phone comprised by connecting. It is a graph. As described above, the first matching circuit (16) is coupled to the ground pattern (14) of the hinge mechanism (3) at a high frequency so that the gain of the built-in antenna (4) is high when the cellular phone is closed. Since the degree is optimally adjusted, it can be seen that in the closed state of the mobile phone, compared with the closed state shown in FIG. 9, there is less loss over the entire transmission / reception band, and high antenna performance can be obtained.
On the other hand, it can be seen that in the open state of the mobile phone, the loss is larger than in the closed state, and the antenna performance is degraded.

  On the other hand, FIG. 11 is a graph showing measurement results of antenna characteristics in the open state and the closed state of the foldable mobile phone according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, in the open state of the foldable mobile phone of the present invention, good antenna performance substantially equal to the open state of the mobile phone shown in FIG. 9 is obtained, and the closed state of the foldable mobile phone of the present invention is obtained. In FIG. 10, it can be seen that the antenna performance substantially equivalent to the closed state of the mobile phone shown in FIG. That is, in the closed state of the foldable mobile phone of the present invention, the antenna characteristics of the mobile phone shown in FIG. 9 that provides high antenna performance in the open state are exhibited, and in the closed state, it is high in the closed state. The antenna characteristics of the mobile phone shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the foldable mobile phone of the present invention, the high frequency of the hinge mechanism (3) with respect to the ground pattern (13) of the circuit board (12) according to the open / closed state of both housings (1) and (2). The switch (15) for switching the degree of coupling is used to connect the hinge mechanism (3) to the ground pattern (13) via one of the first matching circuit (16) and the second matching circuit (17). The hinge mechanism (3) can be connected to the circuit board (with the optimum coupling degree to obtain the largest antenna gain, regardless of the open / closed state of both housings (1) and (2). It can be connected to the ground pattern (13) of 12). As a result, good antenna performance is always obtained regardless of whether the foldable mobile phone is closed or open.

  In addition, each part structure of this invention is not restricted to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible within the technical scope as described in a claim. For example, as described in the present embodiment, the first casing (1) and the second casing are not limited to the hinge mechanism (3) having one rotation axis but via a hinge mechanism having two or more rotation axes. A portable wireless terminal configured to be connected to the body (2) so as to be rotatable with each other, and a sliding operation of the first casing (1) and the second casing (2) with each other via a metal connecting member The present invention can also be applied to portable wireless terminals that are connected to each other.

  In this embodiment, the first matching circuit (16) and the second matching circuit (17) are configured so that optimum antenna characteristics can be obtained in the open state and the closed state of the mobile phone, respectively. A third connection circuit that provides optimum antenna characteristics in a plurality of intermediate states between the open state and the closed state is added, and the first to third switches are provided by the changeover switch (15) according to the open / close state of the mobile phone. It is possible to switch the connection to an optimum connection circuit selected from the connection circuits.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first matching circuit (16) is formed from the first passive element Z1 such as a resistor, and the second matching circuit (17) is formed from the second passive element Z2 such as an inductor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and both matching circuits (16) and (17) are composed of various passive elements such as inductors, resistors, capacitors, diodes, etc., and the hinge mechanism (3) of both matching circuits (16) and (17) It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the high-frequency coupling degree to the ground pattern (14) is adjusted so as to be optimal in the closed state and the open state of the mobile phone.
Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to the built-in antenna (4) but also to an external antenna such as the whip antenna (4 ') shown in FIGS.

It is a perspective view which shows the open state of the foldable mobile telephone which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the closed state of this foldable mobile telephone. It is a front view which shows the connection state of a LCD frame, a hinge mechanism, and a circuit board. It is a back view which shows the connection state of a LCD frame, a hinge mechanism, and a circuit board. It is a top view which simplifies and shows the closed state of the foldable portable telephone of this invention. It is an enlarged view of the A section of FIG. It is a figure which shows the electrical connection state of the member which exhibits an antenna function. It is a figure which shows the structure of a 1st matching circuit and a 2nd matching circuit. It is a graph which shows the antenna characteristic of an open state and a closed state of a foldable mobile telephone when a switch is omitted and a contact pattern and a ground pattern are electrically connected to each other via a second matching circuit. It is a graph which shows the antenna characteristic of an open state and a closed state of a foldable mobile telephone when a switch is omitted and a contact pattern and a ground pattern are electrically connected to each other via a first matching circuit. It is a graph which shows the antenna characteristic of the open state and closed state of the foldable mobile telephone of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

(1) First housing
(12) Circuit board
(13) Contact pattern
(14) Ground pattern
(15) Switch
(16) First matching circuit
(17) Second matching circuit
(2) Second housing
(21) LCD display
(22) LCD frame
(3) Hinge mechanism
(4) Built-in antenna
(4 ') Whip antenna
(41) Transmission / reception circuit

Claims (6)

A pair of casings (1) and (2) are connected to each other via a metal connecting member, and both the casings (1) and (2) can be switched to a plurality of relative postures. In a portable wireless terminal in which an antenna is deployed in either case,
A first circuit board (12) electrically connected to the antenna is disposed in one of the pair of cases (1) and (2), and the other case is provided. Inside the housing, a conductor part constituted by a second circuit board or a metal structure is provided, and one end of the connecting member is electrically connected to the first circuit board (12), and the connecting member The other end is electrically connected to the conductor portion, and is connected between the connecting member and the ground portion of the first circuit board (12) according to the relative posture of the two cases (1) and (2). A portable type characterized in that a coupling degree variable setting means for setting an optimum coupling degree that switches the high frequency coupling degree of the member to the ground portion and obtains the largest antenna gain in each relative posture is interposed. Wireless terminal.   The coupling degree variable setting means includes a coupling degree varying means constituted by a combination of a plurality of passive elements and a plurality of passives constituting the coupling degree varying means according to the relative postures of the two cases (1) and (2). A coupling degree switching means for selecting one or a plurality of passive elements from the elements and connecting the connecting member to the ground portion of the first circuit board (12) via the selected passive elements. The portable wireless terminal described in 1.   The portable wireless terminal according to claim 2, wherein the coupling degree variable setting means is composed of a combination of a plurality of passive elements including at least a resistor and an inductance.   The coupling degree varying means includes a first matching circuit (16) and a second matching circuit (17) interposed in parallel between the connecting member and the ground portion of the first circuit board (12). The matching circuit (16) is composed of at least a resistor, and the second matching circuit (17) is composed of at least an inductor, and the coupling degree switching means detects the relative attitude of the two cases (1) and (2). It comprises an attitude detection means and a switch (15) for switching the first matching circuit (16) and the second matching circuit (17) according to the detection result of the attitude detection means, and the connecting member is the first matching circuit (16 ) Through the first switching state of connecting to the ground portion of the first circuit board (12) via the second matching circuit (17) and connecting the connecting member to the ground portion of the first circuit board (12) through the second matching circuit (17). The portable wireless terminal according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a two-switching state can be set.   The pair of casings (1) and (2) are connected to each other through a metal hinge mechanism (3) so as to be openable and closable. The hinge mechanism (3) constitutes the connecting member. 5. The portable radio according to claim 4, wherein the switch (15) is set to a first switching state in the closed state of (1) and (2), and the switch (15) is set to a second switching state in the open state. Terminal machine.   A display device and a metal frame member that holds the display device are arranged inside the other casing, and the frame member constitutes the conductor portion, and the connection to the end of the frame member The portable wireless terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the other end of the member is fastened.

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