WO2008091083A1

WO2008091083A1 - Accessory antenna and portable device using it

Info

Publication number: WO2008091083A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/000358
Authority: WO
Inventors: Byung Hoon Ryou; Won Mo Sung; Yong Eui Hong; Seung Mok Yang
Original assignee: E.M.W. Antenna Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-01-26
Filing date: 2008-01-21
Publication date: 2008-07-31
Also published as: KR20080002986U; KR200442678Y1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an accessory antenna for a portable terminal and a portable terminal using the same, and more particularly, to an accessory antenna for a portable terminal, which can provide not only the beauty of decoration to the portable terminal through a cable and an accessory disposed in the portable terminal, but also can perform the antenna function, and a portable terminal using the same. To this end, the present invention provides an accessory antenna for a portable terminal includes an accessory including a conductive antenna radiator for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves, and a binder having one end coupled to the antenna radiator and the other end coupled to a feed terminal of the portable terminal, and a portable terminal using the same.

Description

Description ACCESSORY ANTENNA AND PORTABLE DEVICE USING IT

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an accessory antenna for a portable terminal and a portable terminal using the same, and more particularly, to an accessory antenna for a portable terminal, which can provide not only the beauty of decoration to the portable terminal through a cable and an accessory disposed in the portable terminal, but also can perform the antenna function, and a portable terminal using the same. Background Art

[2] In general, portable terminals such as mobile phones have been developed for a call between two parties. However, in recent years, a variety of functions, such as music play and recording employing MP3, ultra-high speed wireless data communication employing WIBRO, etc., TV seeing and hearing employing T-DMB and DVB-H, and radio listening, in addition to voice call, have been added to the portable terminals.

[3] In order to employ the functions of T-DMB and DVB-H of them, the antenna performance of the portable terminal must be improved. This is because T-DMB or DVB-H has a better reception rate as the length of the antenna increases in terms of frequency.

[4] Thus, the conventional portable terminal is equipped with a multi-stage rod antenna configured to extend lengthily for good reception of radio wave or a detachable antenna that can be detached, if appropriate. Thus, the conventional portable terminal could receive TV and audio signals through T-DMB and DVB-H service.

[5] However, the multi-stage antenna installed in the conventional portable terminal is long in length and therefore occupies a large internal area of the portable terminal. This becomes a great hindrance to the miniaturization of the portable terminal. Further, the multi-stage antenna generally has a structure in which thin pipes made of metal material or synthetic resin are combined and was problematic in that it is easily deformed or broken during use.

[6] Moreover, considering that the success or failure of the recent portable terminals depends on the design as well as the functions, the multi-stage antenna became an obstacle in designing simpler and more beautiful portable terminals due to its occupation space as well as the shape.

[7] Meanwhile, the detachable antenna did not provide users with convenience due to cumbersomeness and inconvenience due to the attachment/detachment and carrying of the antenna and had a problem in that it is easily lost due to separate custody of the antenna. Furthermore, the antenna had a very limited applicability and did not provide users with convenience due to a high production cost in terms of the detachment type. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to overcome the above- mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an accessory antenna for a portable terminal, which can perform the antenna function even without using the multi-stage antenna or the detachable antenna, and a portable terminal using the same.

[9] It is another object of the present invention to provide an accessory antenna for a portable terminal, which can receive radio wave of T-DMB and DVB-H advantageously even without an additional multi-stage antenna or detachable antenna, and a portable terminal using the same.

[10] It is still another object of the present invention to provide an accessory antenna for a portable terminal, which can improve an aesthetic sense of a portable terminal and also make slim the portable terminal as well as the antenna function for receiving radio wave, and a portable terminal using the same. Technical Solution

[11] To accomplish the above objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an accessory antenna for a portable terminal, including: an accessory including a conductive antenna radiator for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves; and a binder having one end coupled to the antenna radiator and the other end coupled to a feed terminal of the portable terminal.

[12] Preferably, the binder includes a screw portion mated with the feed terminal.

[13] Further, a part of the binder has a nipper shape having hooks formed therein, the hooks being mated with the feed terminal.

[14] Further, the binder includes a ring so that the binder is mated with the feed terminal through a clip.

[15] Further, the binder includes a hook mated with the feed terminal.

[16] Further, the cable includes a conductive inner cover, and a nonconductive outer cover to coat an exterior of the inner cover. More preferably, the inner cover is formed of conductive fiber having a mesh form.

[17] Further, the antenna radiator includes a conductor formed on a printed circuit board.

More preferably, the printed circuit board includes a FPCB (flexible printed circuit board).

[18] Further, the present invention provides a portable terminal to which an accessory antenna for a portable terminal is coupled, the antenna including an accessory including a conductive antenna radiator for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves, and a binder having one end coupled to the antenna radiator and the other end coupled to a feed terminal of the portable terminal. [19] Preferably, the binder includes a screw portion mated with the feed terminal, and the feed terminal has a fastening hole with which the screw portion is mated. [20] Further, a part of the binder has a nipper shape having hooks formed therein, the hooks being mated with the feed terminal, and the feed terminal has a coupling slot into which the nipper-shaped portions and the hook are inserted. [21] Further, the binder includes a ring for coupling the binder to the feed terminal through a clip, and the feed terminal includes a binding ring for mating with the clip. [22] Further, the binder includes hooks mated with the feed terminal, and the feed terminal includes a binding ring for mating with the hooks.

Advantageous Effects

[23] As described above, according to the present invention, a portable terminal is equipped with a feed terminal, a cable and an accessory and therefore can perform the antenna function as well as the accessory function. Accordingly, the present invention is advantageous in that it can perform the antenna function of a portable terminal even without using an additional multi-stage antenna or detachable antenna.

[24] Further, according to the present invention, radio wave of T-DMB and DVB-H can be received through the cable and accessory of the antenna function in the same manner as the multi-stage antenna or the detachable antenna. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the role of the T-DMB or DVB-H antenna can be realized even without using the existing multi-stage antenna or detachable antenna.

[25] In addition, according to the present invention, the space of the existing multi-stage antenna or detachable antenna is not required. Portable terminals can be miniaturized and made slim and an accessory can be fabricated in various shapes or fashions. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that portable terminals, which are more slim and beautiful and can have a variety of designs, can be fabricated. Further, the antenna of the present invention can be fabricated cheaply and easily compared with the conventional antenna employing a metallic rod. Brief Description of the Drawings

[26] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an accessory antenna for a portable terminal and a portable terminal using the same according to the present invention;

[27] FIG. 2 is a dismantled perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a connection member according to the present invention;

[28] FIGS. 3 to 5 are dismantled perspective views illustrating another embodiment of the connection member according to the present invention; and

[29] FIG. 6 is a table showing the gain measurement results of the accessory antenna for a portable terminal according to the present invention and the existing built-in antenna. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[30] An accessory antenna for a portable terminal and a portable terminal using the same according to the present invention are described in detail below in connection with embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

[31] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an accessory antenna for a portable terminal and a portable terminal using the same according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a dismantled perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a connection member according to the present invention. As shown in the drawings, the accessory antenna for a portable terminal according to the present invention is largely comprised of an antenna connection member, a cable 500, and an accessory 600.

[32] The antenna connection member is made of conductive material, such as metal, and is disposed in a portable terminal 100 so that it is electrically connected to an antenna circuit feed terminal 200 of the portable terminal 100. In the present invention, an example of the connection member includes a binder 300 as shown in FIG. 2.

[33] The feed terminal 200 has a fastening hole 210 formed on one side and is preferably installed at a portion where a decoration band is disposed, of the portable terminal 100, but may be disposed at other portion of the portable terminal 100.

[34] The binder 300 is bound with the feed terminal 200 detachably. The binder 300 has a screw portion 310 formed on one side so that the screw portion is mated with the fastening hole 210 and a connecting portion 320 formed on the other side so that the connecting portion 320 is coupled with the cable 500. A knurling 330 for preventing sliding of the binder in the binding process is further formed in the binder 300.

[35] Meanwhile, the cable 500 can be connected to the connecting portion 320 more firmly through welding, an additional band or the like.

[36] The cable 500 is connected to the antenna connection member and performs the antenna function. To this end, in the present invention, the cable 500 includes a non- conductive outer cover 510 and a conductive inner cover 520. In particular, the conductive inner cover 520 is made of conductive fiber of a mesh structure and is formed in a cylindrical or thin bar shape in order to secure sufficient flexibility and tensile force.

[37] Further, the conductive fiber can be fabricated by forming a conductor of a thin thread form and then weaving it, but can also be fabricated by coating EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference) paints on general fiber and then plating conductive material on the fiber.

[38] The accessory 600 is adapted to provide the beauty of decoration like a general accessory in appearance and has a radiator 700 therein for connection to the cable 500. Thus, the accessory can perform the antenna function through the radiator. In the present invention, an example of the radiator 700 can include a FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board) or a solid PCB on which a circuit of the antenna function is printed. In particular, the radiator 700 of the FPCB has a flexible property and can be applied to various forms of accessories. The radiator 700 can be formed in various forms according to a variety of conditions such as a use frequency band, bandwidth and/or gain, but not limited to a rectangle as shown in the drawing.

[39] The operation and function of the present invention constructed above is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[40] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the accessory antenna for a portable terminal according to the present invention can receive radio wave through the radiator 700 built in the accessory 600 and the cable 500 and therefore can improve the transmission/reception rate of the portable terminal 100 significantly.

[41] In particular, the cable 500 of the present invention functions to connect the radiator

700 built in the accessory 600 and the feed terminal 200 of the portable terminal 100 and, therefore, performs a similar antenna function to that of a typical multi-stage antenna. Hence, the cable can perform the antenna function of a common portable terminal and also receive radio wave excellently according to the frequency characteristic of T-DMB or DVB-H.

[42] Thus, the present invention can save the space of the multi-stage antenna in the portable terminal 100 while having the same antenna function as that of the existing multi-stage antenna. Accordingly, the portable terminal 100 with slimness and a simple design can be fabricated and also provides a beautiful appearance through the accessory 600.

[43] Further, the antenna of the present invention has almost no possibility of loss when compared with the existing detachable antenna. Hence, the antenna of the present invention can provide not only users with convenience, but also a beautiful appearance through the accessory 600.

[44] Moreover, the accessory antenna for a portable terminal according to the present invention has an excellent gain compared with the built-in T-DMB antenna as a result of measurement tests as shown in FIG. 6 and is therefore advantageous in that it has a reception rate similar to or better than that of the built-in antenna.

[45] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the connection member of the accessory antenna for a portable terminal according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, a coupling slot 220 is formed in the feed terminal 200 and the binder 300 has an approximately nipper shape. Hooks 340 are formed on one sides of the nipper shape so that they can be coupled to the coupling slot 220. A connecting portion 320 is formed on the other side of the nipper shape so that it can be coupled to the cable 500. [46] Hence, the connection member shown in FIG. 3 can be connected or disconnected to or from the feed terminal 200 more conveniently through the nipper- shaped binder 300. The remaining functions of the feed terminal 200 and the binder 300 are identical to those shown in FIG. 2.

[47] FIG. 4 shows still another embodiment of the connection member of the accessory antenna for a portable terminal according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, a binding ring 230 is formed in the feed terminal 200 and a binder 300 has an approximately ring shape. The connecting portion 320 is formed on the other side of the binder 300 so that it can be connected to the cable 500. The binding ring 230 of the feed terminal 200 and the binder 300 are connected through a clip 400.

[48] Thus, the connection member shown in FIG. 4 can connect the feed terminal 200 and the binder 300 through the clip 400 easily. In particular, since the binding ring 230 and the binder 300 are rotatably coupled to the clip 400, the antenna can be rotated freely when the antenna is connected to the device. Hence, the bending or breaking of the cable 500 can be prevented. The remaining functions of the feed terminal 200 and the binder 300 are identical to those shown in FIG. 2.

[49] FIG. 5 shows further still another embodiment of the connection member of the accessory antenna for a portable terminal according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the binding ring 230 is formed in the feed terminal 200. The binder 300 has a hook 350 disposed on one side for binding with the binding ring 230 and the connecting portion 320 disposed on the other side for connection to the cable 500.

[50] Thus, the connection member shown in FIG. 5 can connect the feed terminal 200 and the binder 300 conveniently through the hook 350. In particular, since the binding ring 230 is rotatably coupled to the hook 350, the antenna can be rotated freely when the antenna is connected to the device. Hence, the bending or breaking of the cable 500 can be prevented. The remaining functions of the feed terminal 200 and the binder 300 are identical to those shown in FIG. 2.

[51] Meanwhile, while this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in connection with a specific service such as T-DMB, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the antenna of the present invention can be widely applied to general radio communication.

Claims

[I] An accessory antenna for a portable terminal, comprising: an accessory including a conductive antenna radiator for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves; and a binder having one end coupled to the antenna radiator and the other end coupled to a feed terminal of the portable terminal. [2] The accessory antenna as defined in claim 1, wherein the binder includes a screw portion mated with the feed terminal. [3] The accessory antenna as defined in claim 1, wherein a part of the binder has a nipper shape having hooks formed therein, the hooks being mated with the feed terminal. [4] The accessory antenna as defined in claim 1, wherein the binder includes a ring so that the binder is mated with the feed terminal through a clip. [5] The accessory antenna as defined in claim 1, wherein the binder includes a hook mated with the feed terminal. [6] The accessory antenna as defined in claim 1, wherein the cable comprises: a conductive inner cover; and a nonconductive outer cover to coat an exterior of the inner cover. [7] The accessory antenna as defined in claim 6, wherein the inner cover is formed of conductive fiber having a mesh form. [8] The accessory antenna as defined in claim 1, wherein the antenna radiator includes a conductor formed on a printed circuit board. [9] The accessory antenna as defined in claim 8, wherein the printed circuit board includes a FPCB (flexible printed circuit board). [10] A portable terminal to which an accessory antenna for a portable terminal is coupled, the antenna comprising: an accessory including a conductive antenna radiator for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves; and a binder having one end coupled to the antenna radiator and the other end coupled to a feed terminal of the portable terminal.

[I I] The portable terminal as defined in claim 10, wherein the binder includes a screw portion mated with the feed terminal, and the feed terminal has a fastening hole with which the screw portion is mated. [12] The portable terminal as defined in claim 10, wherein a part of the binder has a nipper shape having hooks formed therein, the hooks being mated with the feed terminal, and the feed terminal has a coupling slot into which the nipper-shaped portions and the hook are inserted. [13] The portable terminal as defined in claim 10, wherein the binder includes a ring for coupling the binder to the feed terminal through a clip, and the feed terminal includes a binding ring for mating with the clip. [14] The portable terminal as defined in claim 10, wherein the binder includes hooks mated with the feed terminal, and the feed terminal includes a binding ring for mating with the hooks.