WO2002015325A1 - An antenna device and a method for manufacturing an antenna device - Google Patents

An antenna device and a method for manufacturing an antenna device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002015325A1
WO2002015325A1 PCT/SE2001/001746 SE0101746W WO0215325A1 WO 2002015325 A1 WO2002015325 A1 WO 2002015325A1 SE 0101746 W SE0101746 W SE 0101746W WO 0215325 A1 WO0215325 A1 WO 0215325A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
antenna
antenna element
encapsulated
arranging
hollow portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/SE2001/001746
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Minh Tri Nguyen
Stefan Morén
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Allgon AB
Original Assignee
Allgon AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Allgon AB filed Critical Allgon AB
Priority to AU2001280394A priority Critical patent/AU2001280394A1/en
Publication of WO2002015325A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002015325A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/24—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set
    • H01Q1/241—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM
    • H01Q1/242—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles with receiving set used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM specially adapted for hand-held use
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C45/14—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/36—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/36—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith
    • H01Q1/38—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/40—Radiating elements coated with or embedded in protective material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2995/00—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds
    • B29K2995/0003—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds having particular electrical or magnetic properties, e.g. piezoelectric
    • B29K2995/0005—Conductive
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/34—Electrical apparatus, e.g. sparking plugs or parts thereof
    • B29L2031/3456—Antennas, e.g. radomes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an encapsulated antenna according to the preamble of claim 1 and an encapsulated antenna element according to the preamble of claim 9.
  • the antenna structure is a significant factor from the point of view of the appearance, durability and ease of operation of the device.
  • the manufacturing costs also contribute to the price of the radio device. Since modern mobile phones are small and lightweight, the antenna, too, should be small.
  • the antenna should not be easily damaged, should the user accidentally drop his/her phone, on the contrary, the antenna as a flexible element may prevent the phone itself from being damaged.
  • the antenna should be economical and easy to manufacture, which can be interpreted to mean that the antenna should have only a few parts, the parts should be simple in form, and the mechanical tolerances should not be unreasonably exacting.
  • GB 2 305 298 is described an antenna device with a plastic- encased radiating helix.
  • a high injection pressure, and a high molten plastic injection speed inherent in a injection moulding process can cause undesirable movement and can change the desired dimensions of the conductive coil on a core pin.
  • the precise dimensional relationships of the helix assembly are critical factors, which govern the radio frequency range and performance of the characteristics of the complete antenna assembly, which is a problem.
  • this object is obtained by providing a method as claimed in claim 1 and by an antenna according to claim 9.
  • An advantage with the present invention is that the encapsulated antenna can be manufactured with high precision with simple technology.
  • Another advantage with the present invention is that the manufacturing costs of the encapsulated antenna is relatively low.
  • Yet another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that the shape of the encapsulated antenna easily can be varied with the precision maintained.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a third manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a fourth manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a fifth manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a sixth manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a seventh manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a eighth manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a ninth manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • Figure 10 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the encapsulated antenna.
  • Figure 11 shows a partly cross sectional view of the encapsulated antenna as shown in figure 10.
  • Figure 12 shows an antenna element using in the second embodiment of the encapsulated antenna.
  • Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of a cover of the second embodiment of the encapsulated antenna .
  • Figure 14 and 15 shows perspective views of the second embodiment of the encapsulated antenna.
  • Figure 16 shows a perspective view of a fitting to the second embodiment of the encapsulated antenna.
  • Figure 17 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled antenna according to a second embodiment .
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • a mould 10 comprising a top member 10a and a bottom member 10b and a support structure 20 comprising four mould cores 30.
  • the mould cores 30, in this specific example, have a shape of a rod with an essentially circular cross sectional area.
  • the cross sectional area may be triangular, rectangular, any other polygonal shape or elliptical.
  • the rod may be tapered or non-tapered.
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • the rods 30, belonging to one of the two support structures 20, are at least partly covered with antenna elements 40.
  • the antenna elements 40 are arranged on top of at least one surface of a flexible film.
  • the antenna element 40 may comprise for example a meander shaped portion.
  • the flexible film comprising said antenna element is arranged at least partly around the mould core 30.
  • the flexible film may for example be fixed to the mould core 30 by means of tape, glue, ultrasonic welding, heat-sealing overlap joint etc.
  • the material of the flexible film may for example be plastics material or any other suitable non-conductive material.
  • Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a third manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • the rods 30, belonging to two of the three support structures 20 are at least partly covered with antenna elements 40.
  • the antenna elements 40 are arranged on top of at least one surface of a flexible film as described in connection with figure 2.
  • the top member 10a and the bottom member 10b of the mould 10 are separated by a distance suitable for fitting the mould cores 30.
  • Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a fourth manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • the rods 30 comprising said antenna elements 40, belonging to one of the three support structures 20, are arranged between the separated top member 10a and the bottom member 10b of the mould 10.
  • FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a fifth manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • the top member 10a and the bottom member 10b of the mould 10 are sealed around said mould cores 30 comprising said antenna elements 40, belonging to one of the three support structures 20.
  • An indentation in said bottom and top member defines a moulding cavity in which said mould cores 30 are located. Said cavity may be of any shape.
  • the moulding process may start. Moulding material is injected into said cavity in order to cover said antenna element 40 arranged on said flexible film where said flexible film is at least partly enclosing said mould core 30.
  • Said moulding process is well known to a man skilled in the art and therefore needs no further attention in this disclosure.
  • Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a sixth manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • the moulding process has ended and the bottom 10b and top 10a member of the mould 10 are separated.
  • Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a seventh manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • the rods 30 comprising encapsulated antennas 50, belonging to one of the three support structures 20, are dislocated from said mould. Said encapsulated antennas may have the form of said mould cavity.
  • Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a eighth manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • another set of rods 30 comprising said antenna elements 40, belonging to one of the four support structures 20, are arranged in front of the separated top member 10a and the bottom member 10b of the mould 10.
  • Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a ninth manufacturing step according to the present invention.
  • the encapsulated antennas 50 belonging to one of the four support structures 20 are separated from the mould cores 30.
  • the encapsulated antennas will have a hollow portion. Said hollow portion has a cross sectional area defined by said mould core 30.
  • FIG 10 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the encapsulated antenna 50.
  • Said encapsulated antenna 50 comprises a contact clip 45, the antenna element 40 and an encapsulated part 42.
  • the contact clip contacts the antenna element 40 to the circuitry in the mobile telephone (not shown) .
  • the antenna element is arranged on the mould core 30 and thereafter said contact clip 45 is arranged outside and partly enclosing said antenna element 40.
  • a first wing 46 and a second wing 47 have a shape corresponding to the mould core 30.
  • the shape of said wings 46 and 47 are cylindrical.
  • An open end of the encapsulated part is forming the interface 43 for engaging said encapsulated antenna to a casing of the mobile telephone.
  • said interface 43 is in the form of a snap on interface, of course other alternatives are possible like for example threaded interfaces .
  • Figure 11 shows a partly cross sectional view of the encapsulated antenna 50 as shown in figure 10. From this figure it is clear that the contact clip 45 is arranged outside and partly enclosing said antenna element 40. We can also see that the encapsulated antenna has a hollow portion corresponding to the shape of the mould core 30. The contact clip 45 and the antenna element 40 form part of the encapsulated antenna 50 and are fixed in said encapsulated antenna .
  • Figure 12-17 shows a second embodiment of an encapsulated antenna that might be manufactured using the method described in connection with figures 1-9.
  • Figure 12 shows a preferred antenna element 60 comprising a meander pattern 61 arranged on a flexible film 62.
  • the antenna element 60 is also provided with a tongue 63 having a conductive pattern 64 in contact with the meander pattern 61.
  • the antenna element 60 is arranged within a hollow portion of a cover 65, which is described in connection with figure 13.
  • Figure 13-15 shows a cover 65 for holding the antenna element of figure 12.
  • Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view and figure 14 and 15 are two perspective views pointing out details of said cover.
  • the cover is made from a non-conductive material, such as plastics.
  • a hollow portion 66 with an opening 61 is provided in the cover 65, where two grooves 68 are provided on the inside of the hollow portion 66, near the opening 67. These grooves are to be used to hold a fitting, as described in connection with figure 16.
  • the inside of the hollow portion is also provided with an anti-rotation bar 69 to prevent the fitting to rotate when mounted.
  • a pocket 70 is provided on the inside of the hollow portion 66 near the opening 67, where the tongue 63 of the antenna element 60 is placed when mounted inside the hollow portion 66.
  • Figure 14 shows a perspective view where the anti-rotation bar 69 clearly may be seen, stretching in an axial direction from the opening 67 along the hollow portion 66.
  • Figure 15 shows a perspective view where the pocket 70 for holding the tongue 63 clearly may be seen stretching in an axial direction from the opening 67 and past the grooves 68.
  • Figure 16 shows a perspective view of a fitting 71, preferably may from an electrically conductive material, such as a metal, having two ridges 72 and a recess 73 for holding the anti- rotation bar 69 when mounted to the cover 65.
  • the ridges are designed to be snap-fitted to the grooves 68 when mounted, and a thread is provided for mounting the fitting to the casing of a mobile telephone.
  • Figure 17 shows a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the encapsulated antenna 74, comprising the cover 65, the fitting 71 and the antenna element 60.
  • the antenna element 60 is mounted within the hollow portion 66 of the cover 65, in such a way that the tongue 63 is placed in the pocket 70 during the assembling process.
  • the fitting is inserted through the opening guided by the anti-rotation bar 69 and snap-fitted by using the grooves/ridges provided.
  • the fitting 71 deforms the conductive pattern 64 on the tongue 63, when inserted that an electric contact 75 is created between them.
  • the cover 65 of the antenna first is moulded in a non-conductive material.
  • the antenna element 60 is inserted into the hollow portion of the cover and attached, preferably by using glue, to the surface of the hollow portion 66 .
  • the tongue 63 of the antenna element 60 is arranged in the pocket70 to avoid unintentional deforming of the conductive pattern 64 on the tongue 63 when the fitting 71 is inserted in the opening 67 of the hollow portion 66.
  • the antenna element in both described embodiments constitutes at least a part of a delimiting surface of said antenna, i.e. forming a part of the surface of the hollow portion.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Details Of Aerials (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an encapsulated antenna (50; 74) comprising the steps of: arranging at least one antenna element (40; 60) at least partly around a mould core (30), arranging said mould core (30) and antenna element (40; 60) in a mould cavity, injecting plastics material to fill at least a part of said cavity for forming said encapsulated antenna, arranging said at least one antenna element (40; 60) on a flexible film before arranging said antenna element at least partly around said mould core (30), and removing said mould core (30) from said encapsulated antenna (50; 74) thereby creating a hollow portion, after the injection of plastic material, whereby said antenna element (40; 60) constitutes at least a part of a delimiting surface of said antenna (50; 74). The invention also relates to an antenna (50; 74).

Description

AN ANTENNA DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN ANTENNA
DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an encapsulated antenna according to the preamble of claim 1 and an encapsulated antenna element according to the preamble of claim 9.
RELATED ART AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In current radio frequency applications, such as mobile phones, the antenna structure is a significant factor from the point of view of the appearance, durability and ease of operation of the device. The manufacturing costs also contribute to the price of the radio device. Since modern mobile phones are small and lightweight, the antenna, too, should be small. The antenna should not be easily damaged, should the user accidentally drop his/her phone, on the contrary, the antenna as a flexible element may prevent the phone itself from being damaged. In a large scale series production of telephones the antenna should be economical and easy to manufacture, which can be interpreted to mean that the antenna should have only a few parts, the parts should be simple in form, and the mechanical tolerances should not be unreasonably exacting.
In order to protect an external antenna element a plastic material often covers today's external antennas.
In GB 2 305 298 is described an antenna device with a plastic- encased radiating helix. In manufacturing the above mentioned antenna, a high injection pressure, and a high molten plastic injection speed inherent in a injection moulding process can cause undesirable movement and can change the desired dimensions of the conductive coil on a core pin. The precise dimensional relationships of the helix assembly are critical factors, which govern the radio frequency range and performance of the characteristics of the complete antenna assembly, which is a problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing an encapsulated antenna and an encapsulated antenna which overcomes or at least reduces the above mentioned problem.
According to the present invention this object is obtained by providing a method as claimed in claim 1 and by an antenna according to claim 9.
An advantage with the present invention is that the encapsulated antenna can be manufactured with high precision with simple technology.
Another advantage with the present invention is that the manufacturing costs of the encapsulated antenna is relatively low.
Yet another advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that the shape of the encapsulated antenna easily can be varied with the precision maintained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first manufacturing step according to the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second manufacturing step according to the present invention. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a third manufacturing step according to the present invention.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a fourth manufacturing step according to the present invention.
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a fifth manufacturing step according to the present invention.
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a sixth manufacturing step according to the present invention.
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a seventh manufacturing step according to the present invention.
Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a eighth manufacturing step according to the present invention.
Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a ninth manufacturing step according to the present invention.
Figure 10 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the encapsulated antenna.
Figure 11 shows a partly cross sectional view of the encapsulated antenna as shown in figure 10.
Figure 12 shows an antenna element using in the second embodiment of the encapsulated antenna.
Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of a cover of the second embodiment of the encapsulated antenna .
Figure 14 and 15 shows perspective views of the second embodiment of the encapsulated antenna. Figure 16 shows a perspective view of a fitting to the second embodiment of the encapsulated antenna.
Figure 17 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled antenna according to a second embodiment .
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first manufacturing step according to the present invention. In said figure it is shown a mould 10 comprising a top member 10a and a bottom member 10b and a support structure 20 comprising four mould cores 30. The mould cores 30, in this specific example, have a shape of a rod with an essentially circular cross sectional area. Alternatively the cross sectional area may be triangular, rectangular, any other polygonal shape or elliptical. The rod may be tapered or non-tapered.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second manufacturing step according to the present invention. In this figure the rods 30, belonging to one of the two support structures 20, are at least partly covered with antenna elements 40. The antenna elements 40 are arranged on top of at least one surface of a flexible film. The antenna element 40 may comprise for example a meander shaped portion. The flexible film comprising said antenna element is arranged at least partly around the mould core 30. The flexible film may for example be fixed to the mould core 30 by means of tape, glue, ultrasonic welding, heat-sealing overlap joint etc. The material of the flexible film may for example be plastics material or any other suitable non-conductive material.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a third manufacturing step according to the present invention. In this figure the rods 30, belonging to two of the three support structures 20 are at least partly covered with antenna elements 40. The antenna elements 40 are arranged on top of at least one surface of a flexible film as described in connection with figure 2. In said figure the top member 10a and the bottom member 10b of the mould 10 are separated by a distance suitable for fitting the mould cores 30.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a fourth manufacturing step according to the present invention. In this figure the rods 30 comprising said antenna elements 40, belonging to one of the three support structures 20, are arranged between the separated top member 10a and the bottom member 10b of the mould 10.
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a fifth manufacturing step according to the present invention. In this figure the top member 10a and the bottom member 10b of the mould 10 are sealed around said mould cores 30 comprising said antenna elements 40, belonging to one of the three support structures 20. An indentation in said bottom and top member defines a moulding cavity in which said mould cores 30 are located. Said cavity may be of any shape. When the mould 10 is closed, sealing said mould cores 30 as defined above, the moulding process may start. Moulding material is injected into said cavity in order to cover said antenna element 40 arranged on said flexible film where said flexible film is at least partly enclosing said mould core 30. Said moulding process is well known to a man skilled in the art and therefore needs no further attention in this disclosure.
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a sixth manufacturing step according to the present invention. In this figure the moulding process has ended and the bottom 10b and top 10a member of the mould 10 are separated. Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a seventh manufacturing step according to the present invention. In this figure the rods 30 comprising encapsulated antennas 50, belonging to one of the three support structures 20, are dislocated from said mould. Said encapsulated antennas may have the form of said mould cavity.
Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a eighth manufacturing step according to the present invention. In this figure another set of rods 30 comprising said antenna elements 40, belonging to one of the four support structures 20, are arranged in front of the separated top member 10a and the bottom member 10b of the mould 10.
Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a ninth manufacturing step according to the present invention. In this figure the encapsulated antennas 50 belonging to one of the four support structures 20 are separated from the mould cores 30. The encapsulated antennas will have a hollow portion. Said hollow portion has a cross sectional area defined by said mould core 30.
Figure 10 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the encapsulated antenna 50. Said encapsulated antenna 50 comprises a contact clip 45, the antenna element 40 and an encapsulated part 42. The contact clip contacts the antenna element 40 to the circuitry in the mobile telephone (not shown) . The antenna element is arranged on the mould core 30 and thereafter said contact clip 45 is arranged outside and partly enclosing said antenna element 40. In order to fix said contact clip to said mould core 30, a first wing 46 and a second wing 47 have a shape corresponding to the mould core 30. In this embodiment the shape of said wings 46 and 47 are cylindrical. An open end of the encapsulated part is forming the interface 43 for engaging said encapsulated antenna to a casing of the mobile telephone. In this embodiment said interface 43 is in the form of a snap on interface, of course other alternatives are possible like for example threaded interfaces .
Figure 11 shows a partly cross sectional view of the encapsulated antenna 50 as shown in figure 10. From this figure it is clear that the contact clip 45 is arranged outside and partly enclosing said antenna element 40. We can also see that the encapsulated antenna has a hollow portion corresponding to the shape of the mould core 30. The contact clip 45 and the antenna element 40 form part of the encapsulated antenna 50 and are fixed in said encapsulated antenna .
Figure 12-17 shows a second embodiment of an encapsulated antenna that might be manufactured using the method described in connection with figures 1-9.
Figure 12 shows a preferred antenna element 60 comprising a meander pattern 61 arranged on a flexible film 62. The antenna element 60 is also provided with a tongue 63 having a conductive pattern 64 in contact with the meander pattern 61. The antenna element 60 is arranged within a hollow portion of a cover 65, which is described in connection with figure 13.
Figure 13-15 shows a cover 65 for holding the antenna element of figure 12. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view and figure 14 and 15 are two perspective views pointing out details of said cover. The cover is made from a non-conductive material, such as plastics.
A hollow portion 66 with an opening 61 is provided in the cover 65, where two grooves 68 are provided on the inside of the hollow portion 66, near the opening 67. These grooves are to be used to hold a fitting, as described in connection with figure 16. The inside of the hollow portion is also provided with an anti-rotation bar 69 to prevent the fitting to rotate when mounted. Further, a pocket 70 is provided on the inside of the hollow portion 66 near the opening 67, where the tongue 63 of the antenna element 60 is placed when mounted inside the hollow portion 66.
Figure 14 shows a perspective view where the anti-rotation bar 69 clearly may be seen, stretching in an axial direction from the opening 67 along the hollow portion 66.
Figure 15 shows a perspective view where the pocket 70 for holding the tongue 63 clearly may be seen stretching in an axial direction from the opening 67 and past the grooves 68.
Figure 16 shows a perspective view of a fitting 71, preferably may from an electrically conductive material, such as a metal, having two ridges 72 and a recess 73 for holding the anti- rotation bar 69 when mounted to the cover 65. The ridges are designed to be snap-fitted to the grooves 68 when mounted, and a thread is provided for mounting the fitting to the casing of a mobile telephone.
Figure 17 shows a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the encapsulated antenna 74, comprising the cover 65, the fitting 71 and the antenna element 60. The antenna element 60 is mounted within the hollow portion 66 of the cover 65, in such a way that the tongue 63 is placed in the pocket 70 during the assembling process. The fitting is inserted through the opening guided by the anti-rotation bar 69 and snap-fitted by using the grooves/ridges provided. The fitting 71 deforms the conductive pattern 64 on the tongue 63, when inserted that an electric contact 75 is created between them.
Other manufacturing techniques than described in connection to figures 1-9 may also be used, where the cover 65 of the antenna first is moulded in a non-conductive material. The antenna element 60 is inserted into the hollow portion of the cover and attached, preferably by using glue, to the surface of the hollow portion 66 . The tongue 63 of the antenna element 60 is arranged in the pocket70 to avoid unintentional deforming of the conductive pattern 64 on the tongue 63 when the fitting 71 is inserted in the opening 67 of the hollow portion 66.
The antenna element in both described embodiments constitutes at least a part of a delimiting surface of said antenna, i.e. forming a part of the surface of the hollow portion.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an encapsulated antenna (50; 74) comprising the steps of
- arranging at least one antenna element (40; 60) at least partly around a mould core (30) ,
- arranging said mould core (30) and antenna element (40; 60) in a mould cavity,
- injecting plastics material to fill at least a part of said cavity for forming said encapsulated antenna, characterised in that said method further comprising the steps of: arranging said at least one antenna element (40; 60) on a flexible film before arranging said antenna element at least partly around said mould core (30) , and removing said mould core (30) from said encapsulated antenna (50; 74) thereby creating a hollow portion, after the injection of plastic material, whereby said antenna element (40; 60) constitutes at least a part of a delimiting surface of said antenna (50; 74).
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of arranging an adhesive agent on at least one side of the flexible film.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein said antenna element (40; 60) comprises a meander shaped pattern.
4. The method according to any of claims 1-3, further comprising the step of arranging a contact clip (45) in said encapsulated antenna (50) for contacting said antenna element (40) to circuitry in a mobile telephone.
5. The method according to any of claims 1-3, further comprising the steps of arranging a tongue (63), connected to said antenna element (60) , in a pocket (70) and inserting a fitting (71) into the opening (67) of the hollow portion (66) thereby contacting said antenna element (60) to circuitry in a mobile telephone via the fitting (71) and the tongue (63) .
6. The method according to any of claims 1-5, further comprising the step of arranging an interface on the encapsulated antenna for engaging said encapsulated antenna to a casing of the mobile telephone.
7. The method according to any of claims 1-6, where said mould core (30) has a cross sectional area being selected from the group consisting of essentially circular, elliptical and polygonal .
8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, where said mould core is tapered.
9. An encapsulated antenna comprising a hollow portion with a delimiting surface to which a antenna element (40; 60) is arranged, characterised in that said antenna element (40; 60) is arranged on a flexible film, said antenna element (40; 60) is attached to said antenna (50; 74) by injection moulding, whereby said antenna element (40; 60) constitutes at least a part of said delimiting surface of said antenna (50; 74) .
10. The antenna according to claim 9, where a radiating portion of said antenna element (40; 60) is at least partly freely located in said hollow portion.
11. The antenna according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said radiating portion of said antenna element (40; 60) comprises a meander shaped portion.
12. The antenna according to any of claims 9-11, further comprising a contact clip (45) in said encapsulated antenna (50) for contacting said antenna element (40) to circuitry in a mobile telephone.
13. The antenna according to any of claims 9-11, further comprising a tongue (63), connected to said antenna element (60) , arranged in a pocket (70) and a fitting (71) inserted into the opening (67) of the hollow portion (66) , thereby contacting said antenna element (60) to circuitry in a mobile telephone via the fitting (71) and the tongue (70) .
14. The antenna according to any of claims 9-13, further comprising an interface (43) on the encapsulated antenna (50; 74) for engaging said encapsulated antenna (50; 74) to a casing of the mobile telephone.
15. The antenna according to any of claims 9-14, wherein said hollow portion has a cross sectional area being selected from the group consisting of essentially circular, elliptical and polygonal .
16. The antenna according to any of 9-15, wherein said hollow portion is tapered.
17. The antenna according to any one of claim 9-16, wherein said antenna element arranged on said flexible film is integral with an encapsulating part (42) .
PCT/SE2001/001746 2000-08-11 2001-08-13 An antenna device and a method for manufacturing an antenna device Ceased WO2002015325A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001280394A AU2001280394A1 (en) 2000-08-11 2001-08-13 An antenna device and a method for manufacturing an antenna device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE0002892A SE0002892L (en) 2000-08-11 2000-08-11 An antenna device and a method of manufacturing an antenna device
SE0002892-8 2000-08-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002015325A1 true WO2002015325A1 (en) 2002-02-21

Family

ID=20280682

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE2001/001746 Ceased WO2002015325A1 (en) 2000-08-11 2001-08-13 An antenna device and a method for manufacturing an antenna device

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001280394A1 (en)
SE (1) SE0002892L (en)
WO (1) WO2002015325A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102717487A (en) * 2012-06-29 2012-10-10 珀尔曼机电(昆山)有限公司 Injection molding encapsulation mould with positioning fixture mechanisms
US9186828B2 (en) 2012-06-06 2015-11-17 Apple Inc. Methods for forming elongated antennas with plastic support structures for electronic devices
US9318793B2 (en) 2012-05-02 2016-04-19 Apple Inc. Corner bracket slot antennas
US9455489B2 (en) 2011-08-30 2016-09-27 Apple Inc. Cavity antennas

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4944087A (en) * 1988-10-05 1990-07-31 Rogers Corporation Method of making a curved plastic body with circuit pattern
JPH05347507A (en) * 1992-06-12 1993-12-27 Junkosha Co Ltd antenna
US5596797A (en) * 1995-04-03 1997-01-28 D & M Plastics Corporation Method and apparatus for making a molded cellular antenna coil
GB2305298A (en) * 1995-09-14 1997-04-02 Andrew Jesman Process for the production of helically wound antenna with a moulded sheath
EP0856906A2 (en) * 1997-02-04 1998-08-05 ICO Services Ltd. Antenna and fabrication method
WO1999050927A1 (en) * 1998-04-01 1999-10-07 Allgon Ab Antenna means, a method for its manufacturing and a hand-held radio communication device
WO2000039883A1 (en) * 1998-12-23 2000-07-06 Nokia Mobile Phones Limited An antenna and method of production

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4944087A (en) * 1988-10-05 1990-07-31 Rogers Corporation Method of making a curved plastic body with circuit pattern
JPH05347507A (en) * 1992-06-12 1993-12-27 Junkosha Co Ltd antenna
US5596797A (en) * 1995-04-03 1997-01-28 D & M Plastics Corporation Method and apparatus for making a molded cellular antenna coil
GB2305298A (en) * 1995-09-14 1997-04-02 Andrew Jesman Process for the production of helically wound antenna with a moulded sheath
EP0856906A2 (en) * 1997-02-04 1998-08-05 ICO Services Ltd. Antenna and fabrication method
WO1999050927A1 (en) * 1998-04-01 1999-10-07 Allgon Ab Antenna means, a method for its manufacturing and a hand-held radio communication device
WO2000039883A1 (en) * 1998-12-23 2000-07-06 Nokia Mobile Phones Limited An antenna and method of production

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9455489B2 (en) 2011-08-30 2016-09-27 Apple Inc. Cavity antennas
US9318793B2 (en) 2012-05-02 2016-04-19 Apple Inc. Corner bracket slot antennas
US9186828B2 (en) 2012-06-06 2015-11-17 Apple Inc. Methods for forming elongated antennas with plastic support structures for electronic devices
CN102717487A (en) * 2012-06-29 2012-10-10 珀尔曼机电(昆山)有限公司 Injection molding encapsulation mould with positioning fixture mechanisms

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE0002892L (en) 2002-02-12
AU2001280394A1 (en) 2002-02-25
SE0002892D0 (en) 2000-08-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR100905858B1 (en) Case integrated antenna and manufacturing method
KR100944932B1 (en) Antenna embeded mobile communication terminal case and method of manufacturing the same, mobile communication terminal
CN101997157A (en) Antenna pattern frame, electronic device case, method and mold for manufacturing the same
KR101297195B1 (en) Method of manufacturing a case with an antenna
US8165645B2 (en) Mobile communication terminal case and method of manufacturing the same
CN104999617A (en) Antenna pattern frame, method and mold for manufacturing the same, and electronic device
CN104953237A (en) Electronic device case, method for manufacturing the same, and mobile communications terminal
JP3492533B2 (en) Helical antenna molding method
EP3493325B1 (en) Ultra-low-profile triaxial low frequency antenna for integration in a mobile phone and mobile phone therewith
CN102377009A (en) Electrical apparatus shell and manufacture method thereof
KR101219004B1 (en) Terminal for communication and method for manufacturing the same
KR20100003035A (en) Film type antenna and mobile communication terminal comprising the same
US6917345B2 (en) Small antenna and manufacturing method thereof
US6801113B2 (en) Proximity sensor with improved positioning accuracy for detection coil peripheral members
WO2002015325A1 (en) An antenna device and a method for manufacturing an antenna device
KR101138646B1 (en) The Antenna integrated with housing of mobile phone and fabricating method thereof
CN216487561U (en) Coil assembly and electronic expansion valve having the same
KR101423275B1 (en) Insert antenna, method and mould for manufacturing the same
KR101960910B1 (en) Antenna module and portable device having the same
KR20100113259A (en) Manufactor method for inmold antenna using insert catapulting
KR20100090574A (en) Injection mold for embedded antenna
JP3223366B2 (en) antenna
KR101971108B1 (en) Antenna module and method of manufacturing the same
JPH10215116A (en) Antenna element and its manufacture
KR100536572B1 (en) Helical antenna and method of manufacturing the same

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ CZ DE DE DK DK DM DZ EC EE EE ES FI FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP