MXPA96006691A - Wireless communication device with electrical contacts - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wireless communication device characterized by: a circuit board having a pad, and an electrical contact in a fixed position with respect to the circuit board and electrically coupled with the antenna, the electrical contact includes an arm flexible whose movement operates in response to the physical positions of the antenna, characterized in that the flexible arm is positioned in relation to the pad to form a switch so that in one of the two physical positions of the antenna the flexible arm is not electrically coupled with the pad to put the switch in the open position, and so that in another of the two physical positions of the antenna the flexible arm is electrically coupled with the pad to put the switch in closed position

Description

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE WITH ELECTRICAL CONTACTS Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to the field of wireless communication and more particularly to a wireless communication device. Although the invention is the subject of a wide variety of applications, it is especially suitable for use in a hand-held radiotelephone and will be particularly described in connection therewith.

Background of the Invention Radiotelephones having a retractable composite antenna are known in the art. Published Canadian Patent Application No. 2,036,677 discloses a radiotelephone having an extendable antenna that can receive signals both in the extended position and in the contracted position. This request, however, does not refer to the impedance imbalance of the antenna in its respective extended and contracted positions, or to a solution to provide a state of adaptation between the radio transceiver and the antenna.

This patent application, like US Pat. No. 5,177,492, also discloses antenna mounting mechanisms of rods mounted in the radiotelephone cabinet, which are attached to the rod antenna to maintain it in an extended or contracted position. Composite antennas used in the mechanisms are relatively rigid at the point where a coil is attached to the rod, because the junction of the rod and the coil is also the point that is electrically coupled to the radio feed terminal when the antenna is in position contracted Consequently, they have the problem that they are easy to damage in the joint if the radiotelephone is dropped.

Because they are retractable, the composite antennas usually have a flexible linear antenna element, this element needs to be guided to the radiotelephone. It is known to use a cylinder formed outside the cabinet to guide the linear antenna element, as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,177,492. This technique has the disadvantage of increasing the volume and weight of the radiotelephone. Another known technique is to mount a similar tube rod in the cabinet. This technique has the disadvantage that it requires a specific assembly step to the cabinet, which otherwise would be necessary. Another known technique is to mount the tube similar to a rod to the circuit board that already has many assembly steps associated with it. This technique has the disadvantage that it requires additional crimping components to add it and mount it to the circuit board, specifically for the purpose of holding the stick, to an already recharged circuit board.

There are also known radiotelephones, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,374,937, which have an extendable antenna that uses a unique adaptation circuit and a first power terminal to couple an internal circuit to the antenna in the extended position and then deriving the internal circuit to the antenna in the contracted position by means of a second feeder terminal positioned at a distance from the first feeder terminal. This technique has the disadvantage of requiring two power terminals. It also has the disadvantage that the antenna portion between the two power terminals emits inside the cabinet, possibly interfering with the sensitive electrical components placed inside the cabinet.

Radiotelephones having a collapsible composite antenna and a variable impedance matching circuit and a single power terminal are known in the art. An example of such known radiotelephones described in U.S. Patent No. 5,335,368 and another is executed in Model No. TZ82-B provided by NEC. This last radiotelephone has a variable impedance adapter circuit coupled with the antenna, where the adapter circuit consists of two parallel circuit paths, each path has a single reactance. These circuit arrangements are shown in Fig.l. The parallel circuit paths of an adapter circuit 10, having ractive components L?, L2 and C, are selected in response to the position of an antenna 12 to adapt the impedance of the antenna 12 to the impedance of the coaxial connector 14. The selection is made with a bidirectional, bipolar switch 16 placed in such a way that the switch is overturned by the lower end of the mechanical forced-correction contacts, S, of the antenna 12, from a normally open position to a closed position when the antenna 12 of the extended position is moved, shown in FIG. full lines, to the contracted position, shown in dotted lines. The antenna 12 is maintained in these respective positions by keeping the member 22 mounted on the cabinet 24 of the radiotelephone and guided by a conductor tube 20. The support member 22 also functions to electrically couple the switch to the antenna. In addition to requiring a switch and a multi-path adapter circuit, a terminal impedance 18 coupled between the ground and one end of the antenna 12 and the connected ground pipe 20, it is necessary to provide the adaptation in the contracted position.

This adaptation technique is not suitable for all manual radiotelephones. For example, it requires additional components in the adapter circuit to provide two connection states for adaptation; and it requires a certain volume switch to create the connection states. These additional components increase the size of the radiotelephone, which can be a disadvantage when the radiotelephones become smaller. Moreover, the switch increases the probability of a faulty connection in the path of sensitive transmission signals. It also has the disadvantage of requiring an additional terminal impedance and conductive tube.

Therefore there is a need to create a manual radiotelephone that provides a state of adaptation between the transceiver and the retractable composite antenna in both positions and that does so with an elegant design that increases the reliability and feasibility of manufacturing by reducing the number and complexity of the components and moving the mechanical parts. There is also a need to create a manual radiotelephone that will not be easily damaged when dropped at the point where the rod is attached to the coil.

Brief Description of the Figures Fig. 1 is a general electrical diagram of a conventional adapter circuit arrangement. Fig.2 is a general electrical diagram of a first embodiment of a radiotelephone configured in accordance with the invention. Fig. 3 is an elevation view of the right side of a second embodiment of a radiotelephone configured in accordance with the invention, with a partial section showing certain internal components of the radiotelephone. Fig. 4 is a front, bottom and right side perspective view of a circuit panel, terminals and an antenna assembly of the radiotelephone shown in Fig. 3. Fig.5 is a cross section of the antenna and bearing shown in Fig.4. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the circuit panel, a feed terminal and portions of the antenna assembly shown in Fig. 4, when the antenna is in the extended position.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross-section of the circuit panel, a ground terminal and portions of the antenna assembly shown in Fig. 4, when the antenna is in the contracted position. Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentary cross sections of the circuit panel, a feed terminal and portions of the antenna assembly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, when the antenna is in the extended or contracted position, respectively.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments The wireless communication device described here offers advantages over known hand-held radiotelephones because it provides a state of adaptation between the radio circuit and the shrinkable composite antenna both in the extended position and in the contracted position and does so with a design that reduces the complexity of the circuit and the commutator.

These advantages over conventional radiotelephones are mainly offered by a single adapter circuit, a single power terminal and a switch that drifts, or short-circuits the adapter circuit.

Generally speaking, when the antenna is in the extended position, the switch is open and therefore the adapter circuit is coupled in series between the antenna assembly and the radio circuit. In this configuration, the adapter circuit operates to adapt the high impedance of the antenna assembly (approximately 400 to 600 ohms) to the impedance of the radio circuit (approximately 50 ohms). Conversely, when the antenna is in the contracted position, the switch is closed and therefore the adapter circuit is derived and does not fulfill an adapter function or is derived and reconnected in parallel with the antenna to help provide an adapter function.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, in an embodiment configured in accordance with this invention, a wireless communication device, e.g. a radiotelephone 20, comprises a cabinet 22; a circuit panel 24, an antenna assembly 26, a radio circuit 28, an adapter circuit 30, a switch 32, a ground plane 34, a supply terminal 36 and a ground terminal 38 connected to ground. The circuit board 24 is placed inside the cabinet 22 and the radio circuit 28, the adapter circuit 30, the switch 32, ground plane 34, power terminal 36 and ground terminal 38 can be placed on the circuit board 24.

The antenna assembly 26 includes a bearing 40 and an antenna, e.g. a composite antenna 42 having a first antenna portion, e.g. at least one coil 44 and a second antenna portion, e.g. at least a portion of the rod 46. The first antenna portion is led by the second antenna portion and can be electrically coupled, e.g. by continuous electrical contact, to the second antenna portion. The bearing 40 can be fixed to the cabinet 22 the composite antenna 42 is movable within the bearing 40 from a contracted position as shown in Fig. 2 to an extended position.

In the extended position the first antenna portion is located outside the cabinet and the second antenna portion is located substantially outside the cabinet. In addition, a first coupling location 45 of the antenna, e.g. the lower end of the second antenna portion is electrically coupled, e.g. by continuous electrical contact, with the feed terminal 36. In the contracted position, the first antenna portion is located substantially from the cabinet 22, and the second antenna portion is located outside the cabinet 22 and in close proximity to the ground plane 34. In addition, the feed terminal 36 is electrically coupled, e.g. by continuous electrical contact, with a second coupling location 47 of the antenna, eg. the lower end of the first antenna portion, and the ground terminal 38 is electrically coupled, e.g. by continuous electrical contact, with the first coupling location 45.

The composite antenna 42 has many parameters representative of the position of the composite antenna 42. For example, the physical location of the composite antenna 42 relative to the cabinet 22 or the feed terminal 38, the electrical impedance of the composite antenna 42, or the intensity of the electrical signal received by the composite antenna 42.

The radio circuit 28 can be, e.g. , a duplexer, a transmitter, a receiver, a modulator, a demodulator or traces that connect the components of the radio circuit 28, or some combination of these components and traces.

The adapter circuit 30 is coupled between the supply terminal 36 and the radio circuit 28. The adapter circuit 30 may be, eg. a circuit connected in T with a capacitor C in one arm, an inductor Li in the other arm and an inductor with a ground terminal L2 in the leg.

The switch 32 is electrically coupled between the supply terminal 36 and the radio circuit 28 in a configuration in parallel with the adapter circuit 30. The switch 32 operates to change the state in response to a predetermined variation of the antenna parameter, by which switch 32 can redefine or reorder adapter circuit 30 when switch 32 changes state. When the switch 32 is in a state, the radio circuit 28 is coupled in continuous with the supply terminal 36, in parallel with the reconfigured adapter circuit. When the switch 32 is in another state, the radio circuit 28 is coupled to the supply terminal 36 through an adapter circuit 30.

Although the switch 32 and the adapter circuit 30 are shown as separate components in FIG. 2, the switch 32 may be a subcomponent of the adapter circuit 30 or a subcomponent of other components of the radiotelephone 20.

Switch 32 may include eg. a one-way switch, one pole. The switch may also include a sensor 48, or the sensor may be external to the switch 32. The sensor 48 detects a predetermined variation of the antenna parameter. The sensor 48 can be, e.g. the arm of the one-way switch, of a pole that is normally open when the antenna is extended and that moves mechanically to the closed position by physical contact with the lower end of the second antenna portion. In consecuense, the parameter of the position of the contractile antenna with respect to the cabinet 22 or the feed terminal 36 and the predetermined variation is the movement to a position that moves the switch 32 to the closed position. Alternatively, it can be, for example. a proximity sensor that measures the location of the antenna, a relative intensity signal indicator that measures the intensity of the signal received by the composite antenna 42, or an impedance bridge that measures the impedance of the composite antenna 42. At each Alternatively, the sensor issues a control signal to the switch 32 and the switch 32 may change the state in response to the control signal.

With respect to the electrical characteristics of the antenna, the impedance of the antenna in the extended position has a first impedance seen from the feed terminal 36. In the contracted position, the antenna has a second impedance seen from the feed terminal 36 that it is in the parallel combination of the impedance of the first antenna portion and the second antenna portion. Also, since the switch is closed in the contracted position, the adapter circuit is reconnected and coupled between the feed terminal 36 and ground, placing it in parallel connection with the first antenna portion and the second antenna portion. Accordingly, it can be chosen because the adapter circuit not only substantially adapts the first impedance of the antenna when it is in extended position to the impedance of the radio circuit 28 (when the adapter circuit 30 is in series with the supply terminal 36 and the circuit radio 28), but also contributes to the adaptation of the second impedance of the antenna when it is in the contracted position to the impedance of the radio circuit 28. Likewise, a person with ordinary knowledge of the art will appreciate that the switch may be in closed state when the antenna is in the first position, eg. extended, and in open state when the antenna is in the second position, eg. contracted and vice versa the adapter circuit in parallel when the antenna is extended and in series when the antenna is contracted.

The technique for selecting the first impedance of the antenna, the second impedance of the antenna and the adapter circuit to substantially adapt the impedance of the antenna and also, when reconnected, to help adapt the second impedance of the antenna, are quickly understood by someone with ordinary knowledge of art.

For example, if the composite antenna is chosen to have an electrical length of half wavelength, the first impedance in the extended position may vary from 400 ohms to 600 ohms at operating frequencies. If the radio circuit 28 has an impedance of about 50 ohms, or another characteristic value of the radio circuit 28, the radio circuit 28 can be selected which substantially adapts the impedance of the antenna to the impedance of the radio circuit 28.

Also, if the first antenna portion is, for example, coil 44 and a small segment of the rod 46 chosen to have an electrical length of a quarter wavelength, the first antenna portion will have a first impedance of approximately 50 ohms. as seen from the feed terminal 36 in the contracted position. Also, if the second antenna portion is, for example, the remaining segment of the rod 46 chosen to have an electrical length of a quarter of a wavelength and is connected to ground by a ground terminal 38 and placed in close proximity. to the ground plane 34, the second antenna portion will appear as an open circuit having an impedance that is at least in the order of a magnitude greater than the impedance of the first antenna portion. Accordingly, the second impedance of the antenna in the contracted position is substantially the impedance of the first antenna portion alone, i.e. approximately 50 ohms. This impedance of 50 ohms of the radio circuit 28 is substantially adapted to the second impedance of about 50 ohms of the antenna.

Accordingly, the reconnected adapter circuit 30 is chosen such that it does not contribute significantly to the adaptation, for example the impedance of the reconnected adapter circuit may have an impedance that is in the order of a magnitude greater than the second impedance.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications may be made, in addition to those already described, in the radiotelephone of this invention and in the construction of this radiotelephone without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the demarcation between the first antenna portion and the second antenna portion can be defined with an area where the feed terminal 36 is coupled with the antenna in the contracted position. Accordingly, the first antenna portion can be any part of the rod 46, or the entire rod 46 and a part of the coil 44. Also, the first antenna portion and the second antenna portion can be radiating elements of different shapes . Also, switch configurations and an adapter circuit can be used which places the adapter circuit in a serial configuration with the radio circuit and the supply terminal in one configuration and places the adapter circuit in parallel with the antenna in another configuration. And, the second antenna portion, instead of having a quarter of a wavelength, is connected to ground and adjacent to a ground plane, can have a different wavelength, end with an impedance or be surrounded by a tube conductor connected to ground. Also, the power contact and the bearing can be the same component, and the power contact, the ground contact or the switch can be, for example, placed on the cabinet or be a component inside the cabinet.

Reference will now be made in detail to a second embodiment of the radiotelephone configured in accordance with this invention. When appropriate, the same reference numbers are used to avoid unnecessary duplication and the description of similar elements already mentioned and described above.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the right side of the radiotelephone 20 configured according to the invention, with a partial section showing certain internal components of the radiotelephone. This figure illustrates, among other things, the physical relationship of the antenna assembly 26 in the extended position with respect to the cabinet 22 and the circuit panel 24 placed in the cabinet 22. In this embodiment, the antenna assembly antenna 26 includes a linear emitter element 58 and a helical radiating element 56 driven by one end of the linear radiating element 58. In the extended position, the helical radiating element 56 is located completely outside the cabinet 22 and the linear radiating element 58 is located substantially outside the cabinet 22 .

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the antenna assembly 26 in the contracted position, and highlights the physical configuration of the antenna assembly 26 in relation to the circuit board 24, the feed terminal 36, the feed terminal 38. Also shown as optional components of the antenna assembly 26, a tube 52 and a tube holder 54 which is fixed to the circuit panel 24 and holds one end of the tube 52 in a fixed position. The other end of the tube 52 is held in a fixed position by a ground terminal 38. As seen in the figure, the ground terminal 38 and the feed element 36 are fixed near one side of the circuit panel 24, in opposite ends of the side. In the contracted position, the ground terminal 38 makes direct electrical and physical contact with the first portion of the second antenna portion and the feed terminal 36 makes direct electrical and physical contact with the second portion of the second portion of the antenna. antenna. Also, the bearing 40, which is fixed to the cabinet 22 in this embodiment, is shown positioned adjacent the feed terminal 36.

The tube 52 may be made of a non-conductive material, e.g. plastic and serves to guide the antenna from the extended position to the contracted position, while the antenna moves inside the tube 52. Likewise, the tube 52 may be covered with a conductive material or be completely made of a conductive material and be connected to a land. In this configuration, the tube 52 can be used to act on the first portion of the antenna as seen from the supply terminal 36 so that it appears as a relatively high impedance with respect to the impedance of the second portion of the antenna.

Fig. 5 is a cross section of the antenna and bearing shown in Fig., Illustrating the details of the composite antenna 42 for this embodiment. The helical radiant element 56 may include the coil 44. The linear radiant element 58 may include the rod 46. Alternatively, the helical radiant element 56 and the linear radiant element 58 may be a combination of the coil and rod elements of the antenna. The coil 44 is attached to one end of the rod 46 by a suitable means, e.g. an upper splint 64 which is crimped under pressure to the rod 46 and welded to one end of the coil 44 as in this embodiment. Another suitable equivalent means can be used to join the coil 44 to the rod 46, e.g. spot welding or welding of the coil to the rod; press fit or insertion of the end of the coil into a cylinder formed at the end of the rod or in a hole formed in the side of the rod; or by the use of non-conductive material redefining coil 44 together with rod 46.

The lower splint 70 is fixed near or at the end of the rod 46; and a collar 66 is fixed near the other end of the rod 46, at a location below the coil 44. The lower splint and the arm can be fixedly fixed to the rod by crimping or by other suitable means. The physical assembly also provides continuous electrical connection of the lower ferrule 70 and the ring 66 to the rod 46. Accordingly, the lower ferrule 70 serves as a first coupling point on the antenna and the ring 66 serves as a first coupling point. in the antenna. Also, in this particular embodiment, the first antenna portion extends from the ring 66 to include the coil 44; and the second portion of the antenna extends from the ring 66 to the end of the rod 46.

This particular structural arrangement facilitates the application of a non-conductive material to the metal parts of the antenna that are not to be exposed, i.e. at least a portion of the lower ferrule 70 and the ring 66. For example, the second point of coupling, i.e. ring 66, from the means for connecting the coil 44 and the rod 46, ie the upper splint 64, allows easy application of a covering 62 to the coil 44, the segment of the rod 46 between the hoop 66 and the upper splint 64, a portion of the ring 66, ex. by an injection molding process. Likewise, a sleeve 68 can also be applied to the remaining portion of the rod 46 by injection molding.

Although this particular embodiment shows the rim 66 and the lower ferrule 70 by direct electrical and physical contact with the rod 46, a conductive material or a dielectric material can separate the ferrule and / or the rim from the rod 46 and thus be capacitively coupled with the rod 46 and form part of the coupling point. Likewise, the reactance of this capacitive coupling can be considered as a part of the impedance of the antenna seen from the power contact.

Also, the separation of the second coupling point from the medium to connect by a predetermined distance, eg. the length of the bearing 40, also offers the advantage of removing added reigidity caused because the second coupling point is at the same point as the means to connect. This offers an advantage over known radiotelephones employing a composite antenna which, when the antenna is contracted, the connecting means can be bent, thus preventing mechanical damage to the joint when, for example, the radiotelephone falls and the floor hits the element helical radiant 56 to apply a twist to the medium to connect.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the circuit panel 24, the feed terminal 36 and the portions of the antenna assembly 26 shown in Fig. 4, when the antenna is in the extended position. The figure illustrates, among other things, the characteristic of the power terminal 36 not only electrically coupled with the antenna at a first coupling point, but also holding the antenna in the extended position.

In particular, the first coupling point, eg. the lower splint 70 has a first section with a first thickness and a second section with a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. In this particular embodiment, the first thickness is a first diameter of the cylindrically shaped tip 78 of the lower ferrule 70 and the second thickness is a second diameter of a ring 72 formed on or out of the lower ferrule 70. (See also Fig.5). Although the ring 72 surrounds the lower splint 70, the first section may be a thickening that extends only partially around the lower splint 70 or extends completely around as does the ring 72.

The feed terminal 36 that includes at least one flexible member, e.g. two opposite flexible members such as wings 74 acting as springs of flexible sheet. The at least one flexible member may also be a spring loaded device. The antenna can be moved by the flexible members to and from the extended position and the contracted position, the flexible members move, due to irrigations in the shape of the antenna, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movement of the antenna. The wings 74 apply an increasing force when pushed away from the antenna and are elastic and act to return to their resting position. A lower end 76 of the bearing 40, which may have a cylindrical shape, has a smaller diameter than the second diameter and therefore limits the movement of the antenna from the contracted position to the extended position.

Also, when moving to the extended position, the ring 72 passes through the wings 74 before the first section, the increase and then the decrease in the spring force exerted by the wings 74 while the ring 72 passes the wings 74 provide tactile and detent feedback to the radiotelephone that the antenna is contracted. Once the ring passes the wings 74, the wings 74 move inward to contact the tip 78. Accordingly, the ring 72 is held between the wings 74 and the lower end 76 of the bearing by the force exerted by it. the wings 74.

(The element marked as reference number 86 that appears in Fig.6 is explained in the treatment corresponding to Fig.8).

A person with ordinary knowledge of the art can appreciate that the means to limit the movement of the antenna to the contracted position can be achieved by other means, e.g. a second ring formed on the antenna, and that the bearing is not necessary for the wings 74 to hold the antenna. For example, the lower splint 70 is formed by a concave ring surrounding it and the wings 74 resting on the concave ring can hold the antenna in the extended position.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross section of the circuit panel 24, the ground terminal 38 and the antenna assembly portions 26 shown in Fig. 4, when the antenna is in the contracted position. The figure illustrates, among other things, the characteristic of the ground terminal 38 not only electrically coupled with the antenna at the second coupling point, but also holding the antenna in contracted position and holding the tube 52.

The ground terminal 38 includes a rigid member 82 and a flexible member 80. These two members can be formed entirely from a sheet of metal or be two individual elements that constitute a ground terminal 38. The rigid member 82 can be fixed to the panel of circuits 24, like the rigid member 82, and the rigid member 82 can move with respect to the rigid member 82. The flexible member 80 can be, for example, a flexible leaf spring or a spring-loaded device, and can moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rigid member. When the antenna moves from the extended position to the contracted position, the lower splint 70 moves into the ground terminal 38 and the splint 70 forces the flexible member to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movement of the antenna.

The lower splint 70 has a thickening formed thereon, eg. the ring 72 and, when the antenna moves to the contracted position, the thickening slides through the flexible member 80, which translates into an increased spring force applied to the antenna that the radiotelephone picks up and may notice that it is reaching the totally contracted position. After the thickening leaves the flexible member 80, the force on the antenna is reduced, thus informing the user that the fully contracted position has been reached. The flexible member 80 continues to exert a force against the coupling point in the fully contracted position and therefore holds the first coupling point against the rigid member 82.

Also, the rigid member 82 has an upturned end 88 that biases the end of the tube 52 when the tube 52 is inserted into the ground terminal 38 during assembly. The upturned end 88 pressing against the inserted end of the tube 52 holds this end in place. Therefore, a separate joining member is not needed to hold the end of the tube, save space on the circuit board and facilitate assembly.

Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentary cross sections of the circuit board, a feeder terminal and the portions of the antenna assembly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, when the antenna is in the extended or contracted position, respectively. These figures illustrate, among other things, the characteristic of an integral power supply and switch contact, which can be used as a switch 32 shown in Fig.2.

The circuit panel 24 has a pad 84 formed thereon. The pad 84 is a part of the switch. This pad may be electrically coupled with, for example, the adapter circuit 30, or more particularly with Lx.

The power terminal 36 is fixed to the circuit panel 24 and can include a member whose movement operates in response to the positions of the antenna, for example, a flexible arm 86 which acts as a flexible leaf spring. Flexible arm 86 and wings 74 can be formed from a single sheet of metal using known stamping techniques. The flexible arm 86 is positioned relative to the pad 84 and forms another part of the switch. The flexible arm 86, or the feed terminal 36, may be electrically coupled with, for example, the adapter circuit 30, or more particularly with C.

The flexible arm 86 in its rest position projects towards the path of the antenna in its movement towards and from the extended position and the contracted position. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the switch is normally opened. It is also placed under the wings 74, so that when the antenna is in the contracted position, the switch normally opens. For example, if the electrical contact is located at the opposite end of the circuit board, where the ground terminal 38 is located in the illustrated embodiment, the switch closes in the contracted position.

Since the flexible arm 86 is positioned in the path of the antenna, the linear radiating element 58 contacts the flexible arm 86 during its movement from the contracted position and forces the flexible arm 86 into contact with the pad 84. FIG. .9 illustrates flexible arm 86 contacting pad 84 to establish continuous electrical contact. Accordingly, when the antenna is in one of the two physical positions the flexible arm 86 does not electrically engage with the pad 84 to thereby place the switch in the open position; and when the antenna is in the other of the two physical positions of the antenna, the flexible arm 86 is electrically coupled to the pad 84 to thereby bring the switch to the closed position.

Also, the flexible arm 86 and the ring 66 are arranged such that they are by direct electrical and physical contact when the antenna is in the contracted position. Accordingly, the feed terminal 36 is electrically coupled to the second coupling point.

In short, a wireless communication device has been described that provides a state of adaptation between a radio circuit and an antenna its two contracted and extended positions, and it does so with an elegant design that increases the reliability and feasibility of manufacturing by reducing the number and complexity of the components and moving mechanical parts. The wireless communication device is also resistant to damage when dropped. An adapter circuit, which is reconfigured according to a switch that responds to the position of the antenna, provides the adaptation states. Also, the switch can be formed entirely as part of a power terminal.

Claims (10)

1. A wireless communication device (20) characterized by: a circuit panel (24) having a pad (84); and an electrical contact (36) in a fixed position with respect to the circuit panel and electrically coupled with the antenna, the electrical contact includes a flexible arm whose movement operates in response to the physical positions of the antenna; characterized in that the flexible arm (86) is positioned in relation to the pad to form a switch (32) so that in one of the two physical positions of the antenna the flexible arm is not electrically coupled with the pad to thereby put the switch in open position, and so that in another of the two physical positions of the antenna the flexible arm is electrically coupled with the pad to thereby put the switch in the closed position.

2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical contact is fixed to the circuit panel.

3. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 characterized in that the antenna includes a first coupling point (45) arranged such that the electrical contact is electrically coupled with the first coupling point when the antenna is in one of the two physical positions.

4. The wireless communication device of claim 3 characterized in that the antenna also includes a second coupling point (47) arranged such that the electrical contact is electrically coupled to the coupling point when the antenna is in the other of the two positions of the antenna.

5. A wireless communication device characterized by: a bearing (40); an antenna (42) movable in the bearing to and from the extended position and the contracted position, the antenna includes a first coupling point (45), the first coupling point includes a first section with a first thickness and a second section ( 72) with a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness; and an electrical contact (36) in a fixed position relative to the bearing, the electrical contact includes at least one flexible member (74) and the antenna is movable by the at least one flexible member to and from the extended position and the contracted position, characterized in that in the extended position the second section is maintained between the at least one flexible member and the bearing by the force exerted by the at least one flexible member.

6. The wireless communication device of claim 5 characterized in that when moving towards the extended position, the second section passes through the at least one flexible member before the first section. The wireless communication device of claim 5 characterized in that the at least one flexible member is two opposed flexible members. 8. The wireless communication device of claim 5 characterized in that the first thickness is a first diameter and the second thickness is a second diameter. 9. The wireless communication device of claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a cabinet (22), characterized in that the bearing is mounted to the cabinet. The wireless communication device of claim 5 characterized in that the at least one flexible member is a flexible leaf spring.