KR101482606B1 - Antenna assembly and portable terminal compsiring same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an antenna assembly and a portable terminal, which are provided to reduce damage due to an external force. According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the antenna assembly comprises: a base which is slid to the inside/outside of a casing of a portable terminal; an antenna rod which is introduced/withdrawn into/from the inside/outside of the casing along with the base; a hinge unit to connect the antenna rod to the base to be rotated; and an elastic member which is located between the base and the hinge unit and has a predetermined elastic force to be restored in deformation by an external force.

Description

≪ Desc / Clms Page number 1 > ANTENNA ASSEMBLY AND PORTABLE TERMINAL COMPSIRING SAME,

The present invention relates to an antenna assembly and a portable terminal including the same.

In recent years, a DMB (Terrestrial-Digital Multimedia Broadcasting), a C-DMB (China-Mobile Multimedia Broadcasting), and the like have been introduced into a portable terminal such as a mobile communication terminal. A DMB receiving antenna is installed to receive terrestrial broadcasting. As such a DMB receiving antenna, a road antenna is mainly used, which is configured to be able to adjust its length according to whether it is used in or out of the casing.

On the other hand, the rod antenna includes a base sliding in a casing defining an outer appearance of the terminal, a plurality of antenna rods coupled to be spread and collapsible so as to secure an antenna length suitable for a frequency band, And a hinge unit for pivotally connecting the hinge unit. In addition, the rod antenna can be pulled into the casing in a folded state when not in use, and can be pulled out to the outside of the casing to maintain its folded state.

However, the conventional rod antenna has the following problems.

In the prior art, the base, the antenna rod, and the hinge are formed of a metal material having a predetermined strength. Therefore, when the rod antenna is drawn out to the outside of the casing, there is a fear that the rod antenna, particularly, the hinge portion is damaged by an external force.

Also, as described above, the rod antenna can be drawn into the casing in a folded state when not in use. However, since the folding is performed substantially only between the antenna rods, a space having a length including the length of the base and the hinge portion as well as the length of the antenna rod folded in the casing must be ensured. Therefore, not only the usability of the inside of the casing with the same volume is lowered but also the miniaturization of the casing becomes difficult.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an antenna assembly and a portable terminal including the same, which can reduce damage due to an external force.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an antenna assembly and a portable terminal including the same, which can reduce the internal space of the terminal for receiving the antenna assembly.

According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an antenna assembly including: a base for sliding inside and outside a casing of a portable terminal; An antenna rod which is inserted into and out of the casing with the base; A hinge portion rotatably connecting the antenna rod to the base; And an elastic member positioned between the base and the hinge and having a predetermined elastic force such that the elastic member is restored when an external force is applied thereto; Wherein the hinge unit comprises: a first hinge member connected to the base; A second hinge member connected to the antenna rod; And a hinge pin for rotatably coupling the first and second hinge members; And both ends of the elastic member are fixed to the base and the first hinge member, respectively.

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In an aspect of the embodiment of the antenna assembly according to the present invention, both ends of the elastic member are fixed by press working to the base and the hinge portion while being inserted into the base and the hinge portion.

In one aspect of the embodiment of the antenna assembly according to the present invention, both ends of the elastic member are provided with latching protrusions, which are formed by increasing the vertical length of the elastic member, and the base and the hinge portion are provided with the elastic members, And the latching recesses in which the latching protrusions are respectively positioned are formed.

In an aspect of the embodiment of the antenna assembly according to the present invention, the base includes: a hollow housing sliding on the inside and outside of the casing and having an opening at one end; A sliding member slidably installed in the housing; .

In one embodiment of the antenna assembly according to the present invention, both ends of the elastic member are fixed by pressing the sliding member and the hinge portion while being inserted into the sliding member and the first hinge member, respectively.

In one aspect of the embodiment of the antenna assembly according to the present invention, a locking protrusion is provided at both ends of the elastic member, and the locking protrusion is provided on the sliding member and the hinge portion, So that an engaging groove is formed.

In an aspect of the embodiment of the antenna assembly according to the present invention, a part of the first hinge member is passed through the opening and in and out of the housing.

In one aspect of the embodiment of the antenna assembly according to the present invention, the elastic member is exposed to the outside of the housing only when a part of the first hinge member is drawn out of the housing through the opening.

One aspect of an embodiment of a portable terminal according to the present invention includes: a casing defining an appearance; And an antenna assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, inserted into and out of the casing; .

In an aspect of an embodiment of the portable terminal according to the present invention, the antenna rod is composed of a plurality of antenna elements that are expanded or folded together.

According to the embodiment of the antenna assembly and the portable terminal including the same, the following effects can be expected.

First, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the elastic member is deformed by the external force acting on the antenna assembly, the elastic member is restored by the elastic force. Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, damage to the antenna assembly due to external force can be prevented.

In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the length of the base portion can be adjusted to adjust the overall length of the antenna assembly depending on whether the antenna is expanded or folded. Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the space for storing the antenna assembly is relatively reduced, miniaturization of the terminal can be easily achieved.

1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of an antenna assembly according to the present invention;
2 is a sectional view showing the main part of the first embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a cross-sectional view showing a main portion of an antenna assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a plan view of an antenna assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views showing a main portion of a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a process of assembling a third embodiment of the antenna assembly according to the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a main portion of an antenna assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an antenna assembly according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of an antenna assembly according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a main part of a first embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, the antenna assembly 1 according to the present embodiment includes a base 110, an antenna rod 200, an antenna head 300, a hinge unit 400, and an elastic member 510 . That is, in this embodiment, the elastic member 510 is additionally included in the components of the general antenna assembly 1.

More specifically, the base 110 is slidably installed on the inside and outside of a casing (not shown) defining the external appearance of the portable terminal. A first insertion groove 111 is formed at one end of the base 110. The first insertion groove 111 communicates with the outside through one end of the base 110.

The antenna rod 200 slides along the base 110 together with the inside and outside of the casing to enter and exit the inside and outside of the casing. The antenna rod 200 may be composed of one or a plurality of antenna rods 200, and when the antenna rods 200 are composed of a plurality of antenna rods 200, they are selectively expanded and folded. In the present embodiment, the antenna rod 200 includes first to third rods 201, 202, and 203. The first and second rods 201 and 202 are introduced into and out of the second and third rods 202 and 203, respectively.

The antenna head 300 is coupled to one end of the first rod 201. The antenna head 300 may include a helical structure for receiving a predetermined frequency. Also, the antenna head 300 may be formed in a material and shape that allows the antenna rod 200 to feel a sense of unity with the casing when the antenna rod 200 is drawn into the casing.

The hinge unit 400 rotatably connects the antenna rod 200 to the base 110. In the present embodiment, the hinge unit 400 includes first and second hinge members 410 and 420, and a hinge pin 430.

The first hinge member 410 is connected to the base 110. A second insertion groove 411 is formed in the first hinge member 410. The second insertion groove 411 communicates with the outside through one end of the first hinge member 410 facing the base 110. Two hinge pieces 413 are provided at the other end of the first hinge member 410 corresponding to the opposite side of the second insertion groove 411. The hinge piece 413 extends from one end of the first hinge member 410. The hinge pieces 413 are substantially spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first hinge member 410, that is, in the radial direction of the first hinge member 410. For example, the central portion of the first hinge member 410 is cut in the longitudinal direction of the first hinge member 410, so that the hinge member 413 can be defined. The first hinge holes 414 are formed in the hinge pieces 413. The first hinge holes 414 are formed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hinge pieces 413.

The second hinge member 420 is connected to the antenna rod 200, substantially the third rod 203. At both ends of the second hinge member 420, a hinge protrusion 421 and an insertion protrusion 423 are provided. The hinge protrusion 421 extends from one end of the second hinge member 420 facing the first hinge member 410. The hinge protrusions 421 are positioned substantially between the hinge pieces 413. The insertion protrusion 423 extends from the other end of the second hinge member 420 corresponding to the opposite side of the hinge protrusion 421. The hinge protrusions 421 are for connecting the antenna rod 200 and the second hinge member 420. In addition,

The hinge pin 430 passes through the first and second hinge holes 414 and 422 in order. The hinge pin 430 substantially serves as the center of rotation of the first and second hinge members 410 and 420.

In this embodiment, a connecting member 440 is positioned between the third rod 203 and the second hinge member 420. The third rod 203 and the second hinge member 420 are connected by the connecting member 440 substantially. At both ends of the connecting member 440, an insertion groove 441 and an insertion piece 443 are provided. The insertion groove 441 communicates with the outside through one end of the connecting member 440 facing the second hinge member 420. The insertion protrusion 423 is inserted into the insertion groove 441 substantially. The insertion piece 443 is provided at the other end of the connecting member 440 facing the third rod 203 opposite to the insertion groove 441. The insertion piece 443 substantially extends in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 440 and is inserted into one end of the third rod 203. Of course, the connecting member 440 may be omitted, and the second hinge member 420 may be directly coupled to the third rod 203. In this case, the insertion protrusion 423 may be inserted into one end of the third rod 203.

Meanwhile, the elastic member 510 connects the base 110 and the hinge unit 400. The elastic member 510 may be formed of a material having a predetermined elasticity, particularly, a shape memory alloy that can be restored when deformed by an external force. The elastic member 510 is formed in a bar shape having a predetermined length. Both ends of the elastic member 510 are inserted into the first and second insertion grooves 111 and 411, respectively. The elastic member 510 and the base 520 are pressed by the press machine P in a state where both ends of the elastic member 510 are inserted into the first and second insertion grooves 111 and 411, The first hinge member 110 and the first hinge member 410 are fixed. A detailed description thereof will be given later in the section of the third embodiment of the present invention.

Therefore, in this embodiment configured as described above, the elastic member 510 is deformed and restored to an external force acting on the antenna assembly 1, particularly, the antenna rod 200 and the like. Therefore, the possibility that the antenna assembly 1 is damaged by an external force is reduced.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the antenna assembly according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a cross-sectional view showing a main portion of an antenna assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The constituent elements of this embodiment, which are the same as the constituent elements of the above-described first embodiment of the present invention, are referred to with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

3, in the antenna assembly 2 according to the present embodiment, the shape memory alloy member 520 is press-fitted into the base 110 and the first hinge member 410 in the longitudinal direction. For this purpose, latching protrusions 521 are provided at both ends of the shape memory alloy member 520, respectively. The engagement protrusions 521 are formed by increasing the diameter or thickness of the both ends of the shape memory alloy member 520 relative to the rest of the shape memory alloy member 520. [ The latching protrusion 521 is located on an inner end of the first insertion groove 111 formed in the base 110 and an inner end of the second insertion groove 411 of the first hinge member 410 The engaging grooves 112 and 412 are formed. The engaging grooves 112 and 412 may be formed in a shape that matches the engaging protrusions 521. The engaging protrusions 521 are engaged with the engaging grooves 112 and 412 in a state where both ends of the shape memory alloy member 520 are completely inserted into the first and second insertion grooves 111 and 411, It is possible to prevent the shape memory alloy member 520 from being detached from the base 110 and / or the first hinge member 410.

Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the antenna assembly according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a third embodiment of the antenna assembly according to the present invention, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views showing a main part of a third embodiment of the present invention. 1 and 2 are used for the same constituent elements as those of the first embodiment of the present invention among the constituent elements of the present embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

4 to 6, in the antenna assembly 3 according to the present embodiment, the hinge part 400 and the base 120 are configured to be adjustable in length. To this end, the base 120 includes a housing 121 and a sliding member 123. At least a part of the hinge unit 400, the second hinge member 420, and the like is in and out of the housing 121.

More specifically, the housing 121 is formed into a substantially hollow polyhedral or cylindrical shape. An opening 122 is formed at one end of the housing 121. The opening 122 may be formed at one end of the housing 121, for example, in a circular shape.

The sliding member 123 is slidably installed in the housing 121 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 121. At this time, the longitudinal section of the sliding member 123 is formed to have a size exceeding the opening 122. Therefore, the sliding member 123 is prevented from being detached through the opening 122 during the sliding movement of the sliding member 123 in the housing 121.

A first insertion groove 124 is formed at one end of the sliding member 123. In the first insertion groove 124, one end of the elastic member 510 is inserted.

A leaf spring 126 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the sliding member 123. The leaf spring 126 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the housing 121 to reduce the flow of the sliding member 123 in a direction other than the sliding direction when the sliding member 123 slides.

The first hinge member 410 has a first insertion groove 411 into which the other end of the elastic member 510 is inserted, And one end thereof is made in and out of the inside of the housing 121 through the opening 122. For this, the longitudinal section of one end of the first hinge member 410 is formed in a shape resembling the opening 122, and is formed to have a size equal to or smaller than the opening 122.

5, one end of the first hinge member 410 is drawn out to the outside of the housing 121, or, as shown in FIG. 6, (122) to the inside of the housing (121). Thus, the length of the antenna assembly 3 can be reduced substantially in a state in which the antenna assembly 3 is drawn into the interior of a casing (not shown) defining the external appearance of the portable terminal.

In this embodiment, the elastic member 510 is exposed to the outside of the housing 121 only when the first hinge member 410 is drawn out of the housing 121. Therefore, in the state where the elastic member 510 is exposed to the outside, it can be expected that the antenna assembly 3 is prevented from being damaged by deformation and restoration of the elastic member 510 due to external force.

Hereinafter, the assembly process of the antenna assembly according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7 is an operational state view showing a process of assembling the antenna assembly according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

First, as shown in Fig. 7 (A), one end of the elastic member 510 is inserted into the sliding member 123, substantially into the first insertion groove 124. Then, as shown in Fig. 7 (B), the sliding member 123 is pressed by a press machine P. Accordingly, one end of the elastic member 510 is fixed to the sliding member 123 while being inserted into the first insertion groove 124.

Next, as shown in Fig. 7C, the sliding member 123 and the elastic member 510 are inserted into the housing 121. Then, as shown in Fig. At this time, at least a part of the elastic member 510 is exposed to the outside of the housing 121 through the opening 122. In this state, the other end of the elastic member 510 is inserted into the first hinge member 410, as shown in FIG. 7 (D). At this time, the other end of the elastic member 510 is inserted into the first hinge member 410 and the second insertion groove 411 substantially.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 7 (E), the first hinge member 410 is pressed by the press machine P. The other end of the elastic member 510 is fixed to the first hinge member 410 while being inserted into the second insertion groove 411. [

Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the antenna assembly according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a main portion of an antenna assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The constituent elements of this embodiment, which are the same as the constituent elements of the above-described third embodiment of the present invention, are referred to with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

8, in the antenna assembly 4 according to the present embodiment, similar to the above-described second embodiment of the present invention, latching protrusions 521 are provided at both ends of the shape memory alloy member 520 . At the inner end of the first insertion groove 124 formed in the base 120, substantially the sliding member 123 and the inner end of the second insertion groove 411 of the first hinge member 410, The engaging grooves 125 and 412 are formed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the shape memory alloy member 520 can be press-fitted in the longitudinal direction to the sliding member 123 and the first hinge member 410, and fixed.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. will be.

In the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the first hinge member is provided with the hinge piece, and the second hinge member is provided with the hinge protrusion. However, the first hinge member may be provided with the hinge protrusion, and the second hinge member may be provided with a hinge piece.

In addition, in the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention, a part of the first hinge member is described as being inserted into or out of the housing. However, all and / or part of the first and / or the second hinge member may be moved in and out of the housing.

110: base portion 200: antenna rod
300: Antenna head 400: Hinge part
410: first hinge member 420: second hinge member
430: hinge pin 440: connecting member
500: elastic member

Claims (12)

A base that slides inside and outside the casing of the portable terminal;
An antenna rod which is inserted into and out of the casing with the base;
A hinge portion rotatably connecting the antenna rod to the base; And
An elastic member positioned between the base and the hinge portion and having a predetermined elastic force so as to be restored when an external force is applied to the elastic member; Lt; / RTI >
The hinge unit includes:
A first hinge member connected to the base;
A second hinge member connected to the antenna rod; And
A hinge pin for rotatably coupling the first and second hinge members; / RTI >
Wherein both ends of the elastic member are fixed to the base and the first hinge member, respectively.
delete delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein both end portions of the elastic member are fixed by press working to the base and the hinge portion while being inserted into the base and the hinge portion.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the elastic members are provided at both ends thereof with latching protrusions formed by increasing the vertical length of the elastic member,
Wherein an engaging groove is formed in the base and the hinge to locate the engaging protrusion in a state where the elastic member is inserted.
The method according to claim 1,
The base includes:
A hollow housing sliding on the inside and outside of the casing and having an opening at one end; And
A sliding member slidably installed in the housing; ≪ / RTI >
The method according to claim 6,
Wherein both ends of the elastic member are fixed by press working to the sliding member and the hinge portion while being inserted into the sliding member and the first hinge member, respectively.
The method according to claim 6,
Wherein at both ends of the elastic member, locking projections are provided,
Wherein the sliding member and the first hinge member are formed with latching grooves in which the latching protrusions are respectively positioned in a state where both ends of the elastic member are inserted.
The method according to claim 6,
And a part of the first hinge member is made to enter and exit the inside and the outside of the housing through the opening.
10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the elastic member is exposed to the outside of the housing only when a part of the first hinge member is drawn out to the outside of the housing through the opening.
A casing defining an appearance; And
The antenna assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, inserted into and out of the casing; Lt; / RTI >
12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the antenna rod is composed of a plurality of antenna elements that are expanded or folded together.

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