JP2011130049A - Rod antenna and mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an antenna from jumping out, when slidingly drawing a casing, in a sliding type mobile terminal. <P>SOLUTION: A rod antenna 10 includes a first antenna member; a second antenna member for axially-drawably housing the first antenna member therein; and an elastic member 13, fixed to one-side antenna member 11 between the first antenna member and the second antenna member for pressing the other-side antenna member 14, in a direction (radial direction) orthogonal to the axial direction. The other-side antenna member 14 includes an engagement part 17, engaging with the elastic member 13, when the first antenna member is housed into the second antenna member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a rod antenna and a portable terminal device, and more particularly to a rod antenna that is housed in a casing of a portable terminal device having a radio wave receiving function so as to be freely drawn out, and a portable terminal device including such a rod antenna. .

  In recent years, mobile phones (mobile terminal devices) compatible with digital terrestrial television have become widespread, and there are mobile terminal devices that use rod antennas as television receiving antennas. The UHF band used in terrestrial digital television is 470 to 770 MHz, and when a rod antenna is used with a length of λ / 4 in a mobile phone, an antenna length of about 16 cm is required.

  In a small terminal device such as a mobile phone, accommodating a length of 16 cm causes an increase in the size of the device. For this reason, a two-stage or three-stage extendable / retractable rod antenna is often used so as to reduce the volume of the antenna during housing. FIG. 6 shows the structure of a general two-stage telescopic rod antenna.

  The rod antenna 10B shown in FIG. 6 includes a first-stage antenna element 11 having a cap 12 at the top and a second-stage antenna element 14 that the first-stage antenna 11 pulls out from the second-stage antenna element 14. Connected to be free. The first stage antenna element 11 and the second stage antenna element 14 are connected via a first contact spring 13 fixed to the first stage antenna element 11. Further, the second-stage antenna element 14 and the housing 21 of the mobile terminal device are fixed to the support bracket 15 in the housing 21 so that the second-stage antenna element 14 can be pulled out from the housing 21. The second contact springs 16 are connected.

  The two-stage rod antenna 10B of FIG. 6 is housed in the casing 21 of the mobile terminal device when the antenna is not used. When the rod antenna 10 </ b> B is accommodated, the second-stage antenna element 14 formed of a metal pipe is held by the second contact spring 16 disposed in the support fitting 15. The first stage antenna element 11 is held inside the second stage antenna element 14 by the first contact spring 13. The rod antenna 10B of the above type is described in, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, although the shape of the details and the number of steps are somewhat different.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the rod antenna of the above-mentioned type is a slide type mobile phone in which an upper housing and a lower housing are slidably coupled, and as shown in FIG. It is arranged so that the direction of pulling out matches. By matching the sliding direction of the casing 21 and the pulling-out direction of the rod antenna 10B, it is possible to efficiently arrange each device within the casing of the sliding mobile phone.

  However, since the sliding direction of the casing 21 and the pulling-out direction of the rod antenna 10B are the same in the above-described sliding type mobile phone, if the holding power of the antenna is weak, the sliding movement of the casing 21 will cause the casing 21 to open and close. The rod antenna 10B may gradually jump out of the casing 21 due to the applied vibration or impact. Such a pop-out of the antenna that is not intended by the user can be annoying to the user.

  Patent Document 1 describes a contact spring that can adjust the holding force between the first-stage antenna element and the second-stage antenna element. FIG. 8 shows the contact spring disclosed in Patent Document 1. The contact spring 30 has a hollow cylindrical shape as a whole, and a slit 31 extending in the axial direction is formed on the peripheral surface thereof, and the inner peripheral surface is fixed to a first-stage antenna element (not shown). The boss 33 is formed. The contact spring 30 is further formed with a U-shaped notch 34, and a rectangular piece 32 is formed inside the notch 34.

  The rectangular piece 32 has a free end that is slightly bent radially outward, and functions as a spring piece that applies a pressing force to the radially outer side. The rectangular piece 32 can adjust the contact force with the second-stage antenna element on the outer side in the radial direction by adjusting the amount of bending of the tip portion. That is, the rectangular piece 32 can adjust the holding force of the first-stage antenna element by the second-stage antenna element.

JP 2009-188873 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-81107

  The shape of the contact spring 30 described in Patent Document 1 is complicated. In addition, since the holding force is adjusted by adjusting the amount of bending, extremely fine adjustment is necessary to prevent unintentional pop-out of the antenna element while suppressing the amount of force required for the user to pull out the antenna. is there.

  In view of the above, the present invention provides a rod antenna having a function of preventing the antenna element from popping out without simplifying the shape of the contact spring and requiring fine adjustment of the holding force of the contact spring. It aims at providing a portable terminal device provided with such a rod antenna.

  To achieve the above object, in the first aspect, the present invention provides a first antenna member, a second antenna member that accommodates the first antenna member so as to be freely drawn out in an axial direction, and the first antenna member. An elastic member fixed to one of the antenna member and the second antenna member and pressing the other member of the first antenna member and the second antenna member in a direction (radial direction) perpendicular to the axial direction; The other member provides a rod antenna having an engaging portion that engages with the elastic member when the first antenna member is housed in the second antenna member.

  Moreover, this invention provides a portable terminal device provided with the rod antenna of the said invention.

  Furthermore, in the second aspect, the present invention provides an antenna member, a casing that accommodates the antenna member so as to be freely drawn out in the axial direction, and a direction that is fixed to the casing and that is orthogonal to the axial direction ( An elastic member that presses in the radial direction, and the antenna member has an engaging portion that engages with the elastic member when the antenna member is housed in the housing.

  In the rod antenna of the present invention and the mobile terminal device of the present invention, the unintentional pop-out of the antenna member is suppressed by the engagement between the elastic member and the engaging portion.

Sectional drawing of the portable terminal device containing the rod antenna which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the upper end part of a rod antenna in the state which accommodated the rod antenna of FIG. 1 in the housing | casing of a portable terminal device. Sectional drawing shown similarly to FIG. 2 about the rod antenna of the modification of embodiment of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the lower end part of a rod antenna in the state which accommodated the rod antenna of FIG. 1 in the housing | casing of a portable terminal device. Sectional drawing shown similarly to FIG. 4 about the rod antenna of the modification of embodiment of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows a general two-stage rod antenna. (A) And (b) is the front view and sectional drawing of the slide-type portable terminal device which each mounted the two-stage rod antenna. The perspective view of the elastic member in the rod antenna described in patent document 1. FIG.

  Before describing embodiments of the present invention, an outline of the present invention will be described. The rod antenna of the present invention has, in its minimum configuration, a first antenna member, a second antenna member that accommodates the first antenna member so that it can be pulled out in the axial direction, the first antenna member, and the second antenna member. An elastic member fixed to one member of the antenna member, and pressing the other member of the first antenna member and the second antenna member in a direction (radial direction) orthogonal to the axial direction. The member has an engaging portion that engages with the elastic member when the first antenna member is housed in the second antenna member.

  Further, the mobile terminal device of the present invention includes an antenna member, a housing that accommodates the antenna member so that the antenna member can be pulled out in an axial direction, and a direction (radial direction) that is fixed to the housing and orthogonal to the axial direction. The antenna member has an engaging portion that engages with the elastic member when the antenna member is housed in the housing.

  In the rod antenna and the mobile terminal device of the present invention, the elastic member is engaged with the engaging portion of the antenna member, and the relative movement between the elastic member and the antenna member is restricted, thereby preventing the antenna member from popping out. This prevents the antenna member from jumping out.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a rod antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rod antenna 10 is configured as a two-stage telescopic rod antenna having a first-stage antenna member (antenna element) 11 and a second-stage antenna element 14. The first-stage antenna element 11 is formed of a wire, and a cap 12 is formed at the upper end. The second stage antenna element 14 is formed of a hollow cylindrical metal material, that is, a metal pipe.

  A contact spring (first contact spring) 13 that connects the first-stage antenna element 11 and the second-stage antenna element 14 is disposed at the lower end of the first-stage antenna element 11. The lower end of the antenna element 14 at the second stage is contacted by a cylindrical support fitting 15 fixed to the casing 21 of the mobile terminal device via a contact spring (second contact spring) 16 disposed in the support fitting 15. Supported.

  A recess 17 is formed adjacent to the upper end of the second-stage antenna element 14 on the outer peripheral surface with which the contact spring 16 abuts when the antenna is accommodated. Further, a protrusion 19 is formed on the inner peripheral surface on the upper side of the portion where the contact spring 16 abuts when the rod antenna 10 is accommodated, adjacent to the lower end of the second-stage antenna element 14.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the rod antenna 10 of FIG. 1 in a state where the rod antenna 10 is housed in the casing 21 of the mobile phone. A support fitting 15 is fixed to the casing 21 of the mobile phone, and the second-stage antenna element 14 of the rod antenna 10 penetrates the inside of the support fitting 15 and enters the inside of the casing 21 of the mobile phone. Be contained. The first stage antenna element 11 is housed inside the second stage antenna element 14. The recess 17 formed in the upper end portion of the second-stage antenna element 14 engages with the second contact spring 16 fixed to the inside of the support fitting 15 when the rod antenna is accommodated. As described above, in the accommodated state of the rod antenna 10, the recess 17 of the second-stage antenna element 14 is engaged with the second contact spring 16, which is caused by vibration or impact when the housing 21 is opened / closed. It is possible to prevent the rod antenna 10 from popping out. The engaging portion including the recess 17 and the protrusion 19 functions as a limiting member that limits relative movement in the axial direction between the contact springs (elastic members) 13 and 16 and the second-stage antenna element 14.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a rod antenna 10 </ b> A according to a modification of the above embodiment in a state where it is housed in the housing 21. In this modification, the protrusion 18 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the metal pipe constituting the second stage antenna element 14. The protrusion 18 is disposed so as to be on the back side of the second contact spring 16 when viewed from the surface of the housing 21 when the rod antenna 10 </ b> A is housed in the housing 21. This modified example has the same configuration as that of the above-described embodiment with respect to other configurations.

  In the rod antenna 10 </ b> A of the modified example, the protrusion 18 is formed on the back side of the second contact spring 16 so as to be a stopper that suppresses popping out of the antenna element in the accommodated state of the rod antenna. The protrusion 18 constitutes a mechanism for preventing the rod antenna 10A from popping out due to the opening / closing slide of the casing 21.

  FIG. 4 shows the lower end of the rod antenna 10 when the rod antenna 10 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is housed in the housing 21. A protrusion 19 is formed on the inner surface of the second-stage antenna element 14 on the front side of the portion that engages with the first contact spring 13 when viewed from the surface of the housing 21. For example, the protrusion 19 is formed by forming a recess in the outer peripheral surface of the metal pipe.

  The protrusion 19 functions as a stopper when the first-stage antenna element 11 protrudes from the second-stage antenna element 14. By this engagement, it is possible to prevent the unintentional pop-out of the user that the first-stage antenna element pops out from the second-stage antenna element when the casing 21 is opened / closed.

  FIG. 5 shows the lower end of the rod antenna 10 according to a modification of the above embodiment, similar to FIG. In this modification, a recess 20 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the metal pipe constituting the second-stage antenna element 14. The recess 20 engages with the first contact spring 13 that slidably couples the first-stage antenna element 11 and the second-stage antenna element 14 when the antenna is housed in the housing 21. That is, the contact spring 13 is fitted in the recess 20. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first-stage antenna element 11 from popping out of the second-stage antenna element 14 when the housing 21 is opened / closed and unintentional pop-out.

  In the embodiment and the modification, the first-stage antenna element 11 is configured with a wire, and the second-stage antenna element 14 that is the subsequent stage is configured with a metal pipe. However, conversely, the first-stage antenna element may be configured with a metal pipe, and the second-stage antenna element may be configured with a wire. Also in this case, it is preferable to fix the first contact spring on the wire side and form the engaging portion on the metal pipe side. By forming a depression or protrusion in the metal pipe portion, the depression or protrusion can be easily formed. Regardless of which depression or protrusion is formed on either side, it is not necessary to adopt a special shape for the contact spring, and it is not necessary to make fine adjustments to suppress popping out.

  The rod antenna of the present invention can be applied not only to a two-stage rod antenna but also to a one-stage rod antenna or a multistage rod antenna having three or more stages. In this case, a similar effect can be expected by forming the above-described depressions and protrusions in an antenna element constituted by, for example, a metal pipe among the plurality of antenna elements.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment and modification, although the rod antenna provided with the combination of a 1st contact spring and an engaging part and the combination of a 2nd contact spring and an engaging part was illustrated, it is not restricted to this example. A rod antenna having any one of the combinations may be used. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and modification, the TV receiving rod antenna has been described as an example. However, the rod antenna of the present invention is not limited to this example, and can be used for any purpose such as a communication rod antenna. Is applicable.

  Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to illustrative embodiments, the invention is not limited to these embodiments and variations thereof. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

10, 10A, 10B: Rod antenna 11: First stage antenna element 12: Cap 13: First contact spring 14: Second stage antenna element 15: Support metal fitting 16: Second contact spring 17, 20: Recess 18, 19: Projection 21: Mobile phone (mobile terminal device) housing 30: Contact spring 31: Slit 32: Rectangular piece 33: Boss 34: Notch

Claims (9)

A first antenna member;
A second antenna member for accommodating the first antenna member in an axially retractable manner;
It is fixed to one member of the first antenna member and the second antenna member and presses the other member of the first antenna member and the second antenna member in a direction (radial direction) orthogonal to the axial direction. An elastic member,
The other member is a rod antenna having an engaging portion that engages with the elastic member when the first antenna member is accommodated in the second antenna member.   The rod antenna according to claim 1, wherein the engagement portion is a recess formed in the other member.   The rod antenna according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is a protrusion formed on the other member.   The first antenna member is a first stage antenna element, the second antenna member is a second stage antenna element that is a lower stage of the first stage antenna element, and the elastic member is the first stage antenna element. The rod antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rod antenna is fixed to an eye antenna element, and the engaging portion is formed in the second stage antenna element.   The second antenna member is a first stage antenna element, the first antenna member is a second stage antenna element that is a lower stage of the first stage antenna element, and the elastic member is the second stage antenna element. The rod antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rod antenna is fixed to an eye antenna element, and the engaging portion is formed on the first stage antenna element.   A portable terminal device provided with the rod antenna as described in any one of Claims 1-5. An antenna member;
A housing for accommodating the antenna member so as to be freely drawn out in an axial direction;
An elastic member fixed to the housing and pressing the antenna member in a direction (radial direction) orthogonal to the axial direction;
The mobile terminal device, wherein the antenna member has an engaging portion that engages with the elastic member when the antenna member is housed in the housing.   The portable terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the antenna member has a hollow cylindrical shape, and the engaging portion is a recess formed on an outer peripheral surface of the antenna member.   The portable terminal device according to claim 8, wherein the antenna member has a hollow cylindrical shape, and the engaging portion is a protrusion formed on an outer peripheral surface of the antenna member.

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