U.S. patent application number 09/950837 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-17 for antenna for an electronic device.
Invention is credited to Fang, Chien-Hsing, Yu, Chun-Chain.
Application Number | 20020149523 09/950837 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21682892 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020149523 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fang, Chien-Hsing ; et
al. |
October 17, 2002 |
ANTENNA FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
An antenna includes a conductive radiating plate unit, a
conductive grounding plate unit vertically spaced apart from and
electrically connected to the radiating plate unit, and a
conductive signal feeding leg electrically connected to the
radiating plate unit and spaced apart from the grounding plate
unit. At least one of the radiating plate unit and the grounding
plate unit is extendable.
Inventors: |
Fang, Chien-Hsing; (Taichung
Hsien, TW) ; Yu, Chun-Chain; (Taichung Hsien,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER BOTTS LLP
C/O INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
THE WARNER, SUITE 1300
1299 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20004-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
21682892 |
Appl. No.: |
09/950837 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
343/702 ;
343/846 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01Q 1/48 20130101; H01Q
9/0421 20130101; G06F 1/1616 20130101; G06F 1/1681 20130101; H01Q
9/14 20130101; G06F 1/1698 20130101; H01Q 1/2266 20130101; H01Q
9/0442 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
343/702 ;
343/846 |
International
Class: |
H01Q 001/24; H01Q
001/48 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 11, 2001 |
TW |
090205625 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A plate-type antenna for an electronic device, comprising: a
conductive radiating plate unit; a conductive grounding plate unit
vertically spaced apart from and electrically connected to said
radiating plate unit; and a conductive signal feeding leg
electrically connected to said radiating plate unit, spaced apart
from said grounding plate unit, and adapted to be connected to an
electromagnetic transmitter and an electromagnetic receiver;
wherein at least one of said radiating plate unit and said
grounding plate unit is extendable.
2. The plate-type antenna of claim 1, wherein said radiating plate
unit includes rectangular first and second radiating plates, said
antenna further comprising a radiating coupling unit that includes
a plurality of retaining holes formed in one of said first and
second radiating plates and aligned in a longitudinal direction,
and at least a retaining protrusion projecting from the other one
of said first and second radiating plates and selectively into one
of said retaining holes so as to permit extension and retraction of
said radiating plate unit in said longitudinal direction and so as
to couple said first and second radiating plates in a manner that
said first and second radiating plates are in face-to-face contact
with each other.
3. The plate-type antenna of claim 2, wherein said grounding plate
unit includes rectangular first and second grounding plates, said
antenna further comprising a grounding coupling unit that includes
a plurality of retaining holes formed in one of said first and
second grounding plates and aligned in said longitudinal direction,
and at least a retaining protrusion projecting from the other one
of said first and second grounding plates and selectively into one
of said retaining holes in said one of said first and second
grounding plates so as to permit extension and retraction of said
grounding plate unit in said longitudinal direction and so as to
couple said first and second grounding plates in a manner that said
first and second grounding plates are in face-to-face contact with
each other.
4. The plate-type antenna of claim 1, wherein said grounding plate
unit includes rectangular first and second grounding plates, said
antenna further comprising a grounding coupling unit that includes
a plurality of retaining holes formed in one of said first and
second grounding plates and aligned in a longitudinal direction,
and at least a retaining protrusion projecting from the other one
of said first and second grounding plates and selectively into one
of said retaining holes so as to permit extension and retraction of
said grounding plate unit in said longitudinal direction and so as
to couple said first and second grounding plates in a manner that
said first and second grounding plates are in face-to-face contact
with each other.
5. The plate-type antenna of claim 1, wherein said radiating plate
unit includes a rectangular first radiating plate with a tab
projecting from one side of said first radiating plate, said
antenna further comprising a signal coupling unit that includes a
plurality of retaining holes formed in said tab and aligned in a
longitudinal direction, and a retaining protrusion projecting from
said signal feeding leg and selectively into one of said retaining
holes so as to form an electrical connection between said signal
feeding leg and said first radiating plate that is adjustable in
said longitudinal direction.
6. The plate-type antenna of claim 5, wherein said radiating plate
unit further includes a rectangular second radiating plate, said
antenna further comprising a radiating coupling unit that includes
a plurality of retaining holes formed in said first radiating plate
and aligned in said longitudinal direction, and at least a
retaining protrusion projecting from said second radiating plate
and selectively into one of said retaining holes formed in said
first radiating plate so as to permit extension and retraction of
said radiating plate unit in said longitudinal direction and so as
to couple said first and second radiating plates in a manner that
said first and second radiating plates are in face-to-face contact
with each other.
7. The plate-type antenna of claim 6, wherein said grounding plate
unit includes rectangular first and second grounding plates, said
antenna further comprising a grounding coupling unit that includes
a plurality of retaining holes formed in one of said first and
second grounding plates and aligned in said longitudinal direction,
and at least a retaining protrusion projecting from the other one
of said first and second grounding plates and selectively into one
of said retaining holes in said one of said first and second
grounding plates so as to permit extension and retraction of said
grounding plate unit in said longitudinal direction and so as to
couple said first and second grounding plates in a manner that said
first and second grounding plates are in face-to-face contact with
each other.
8. The plate-type antenna of claim 7, wherein said first grounding
plate is formed with an elongated opening that is vertically
aligned with said tab, said signal feeding leg extending from said
tab and through said elongated opening.
9. The plate-type antenna of claim 1, wherein said radiating plate
unit includes a rectangular radiating plate extending in a
longitudinal direction, and a fan-like plate, said antenna further
comprising a radiating coupling unit that includes a plurality of
retaining holes formed in said rectangular radiating plate and
aligned along an arcuate line, and at least a retaining protrusion
projecting from said fan-like plate and selectively into one of
said retaining holes so as to permit extension and retraction of
said radiating plate unit along said longitudinal direction.
10. A slot-type antenna for an electronic device, comprising: a
conductive main plate extending in a longitudinal direction, formed
with a slot, and having a first plate portion that surrounds said
slot and that defines a periphery of said slot, and a second plate
portion that extends from one side of said first plate portion in a
transverse direction relative to said longitudinal direction; a
conductive signal feeding leg electrically connected to said first
plate portion of said main plate and adapted to be connected to an
electromagnetic transmitter and an electromagnetic receiver; and a
conductive extension plate electrically, adjustably, and
selectively connected to one of said first and second plate
portions so as to permit extension and retraction of said main
plate in said longitudinal direction and vary the dimension of said
slot that is exposed from said main plate and said extension plate
when said extension plate is connected to said first plate portion,
and so as to permit extension and retraction of said main plate in
said transverse direction when said extension plate is connected to
said second plate portion.
11. The slot-type antenna of claim 10, further comprising a first
coupling unit that includes a plurality of retaining holes formed
in said first plate portion of said main plate and aligned in said
longitudinal direction, and at least a retaining protrusion
projecting from said extension plate and selectively into one of
said retaining holes so as to permit extension and retraction of
said main plate along said longitudinal direction.
12. The slot-type antenna of claim 11, wherein said extension plate
is connected to said first plate portion of said main plate, said
slot-type antenna further comprising a conductive second extension
plate connected to said second plate portion of said main plate,
and a second coupling unit that includes a plurality of retaining
holes formed in said second plate portion and aligned in said
transverse direction, and at least a retaining protrusion
projecting from said second extension plate and selectively into
one of said retaining holes in said second plate portion so as to
permit extension and retraction of said main plate along said
transverse direction.
13. The slot-type antenna of claim 12, further comprising a third
coupling unit that includes a plurality of retaining holes formed
in said first plate portion of said main plate and aligned in said
longitudinal direction, and a protrusion projecting from said
signal feeding leg and selectively into one of said retaining holes
so as to form an electrical connection between said signal feeding
leg and said first plate portion of said main plate that is
adjustable in said longitudinal direction.
14. An electronic device, comprising: a housing; a circuit board;
and a plate-type antenna mounted in said housing and including a
conductive radiating plate unit, a conductive grounding plate unit
vertically spaced apart from and electrically connected to said
radiating plate unit, and a conductive signal feeding leg
electrically connected to said radiating plate unit and said
circuit board, and spaced apart from said grounding plate unit,
wherein at least one of the dimensions of said radiating plate unit
and said grounding plate unit and the position of electrical
contact between said signal feeding leg and said radiating plate
unit is adjustable so as to vary electrical characteristics of said
antenna.
15. An electronic device, comprising: a housing; a circuit board;
and a slot-type antenna mounted in said housing and including a
conductive main plate extending in a longitudinal direction, formed
with a slot, and having a first plate portion that surrounds said
slot and that defines a periphery of said slot, and a second plate
portion that extends from one side of said first plate portion in a
transverse direction relative to said longitudinal direction, and a
conductive signal feeding leg electrically connected to said first
plate portion of said main plate and said circuit board, wherein at
least one of the dimensions of said slot and said second plate
portion of said main plate and the position of electrical contact
between said signal feeding leg and said first plate portion of
said main plate is adjustable so as to vary electrical
characteristics of said antenna.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of Taiwan patent
Application No. 90205625, filed on Apr. 11, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to an antenna for an electronic
device.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Wireless communication devices, such as cellular phones,
notebook computers, electronic appliances, and the like, are
normally installed with an antenna that serves as a medium for
transmission and reception of electromagnetic signals. The antenna
can be built outside or inside the devices. However, the latter
(built-in type) are more attractive due to a tendency of folding
and breaking for the former upon use.
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional plate-type antenna 1 which
is commonly known as PIFA (Planar Inverted-F Antenna) and which
includes a rectangular conductive radiating plate 11, a rectangular
conductive grounding plate 12 that is vertically spaced apart from
and that is electrically connected to the radiating plate 11 via a
conductive grounding leg 13, and a conductive signal feeding leg 14
that projects from one side of the radiating plate 11 and through
an opening in the grounding plate 12 (the signal feeding leg 14 is
spaced apart from the grounding plate 12) and that is adapted to be
electrically connected to an electromagnetic transmitter and an
electromagnetic receiver (not shown).
[0007] Frequency, input impedance, and bandwidth are key parameters
for the design of an antenna for a specific use, and are mainly,
but not exclusively, related to the dimension of the radiating
plate 11, the dimension of the grounding plate 12, and the position
of the electrical contact between the signal feeding leg 14 and the
radiating plate 11. The parameters are interrelated such that a
modification in one of the parameters causes corresponding changes
in the other two.
[0008] The aforesaid conventional antenna is disadvantageous in
that since the dimension of the radiating plate 11, the dimension
of the grounding plate 12, and the position of the electrical
contact between the signal feeding leg 14 and the radiating plate
11 are all fixed, it can only be used for a specific application
that requires a specific frequency, input impedance, and bandwidth,
and thus lacks flexibility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a plate-type antenna that is capable of overcoming the
aforementioned drawbacks.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
slot-type antenna that is capable of overcoming the aforementioned
drawbacks.
[0011] According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided
a plate-type antenna for an electronic device. The plate-type
antenna comprises: a conductive radiating plate unit; a conductive
grounding plate unit vertically spaced apart from and electrically
connected to the radiating plate unit; and a conductive signal
feeding leg electrically connected to the radiating plate unit,
spaced apart from the grounding plate unit, and adapted to be
connected to an electromagnetic transmitter and an electromagnetic
receiver. At least one of the radiating plate unit and the
grounding plate unit is extendable to adjust the behavior of the
antenna.
[0012] According to another aspect of this invention, there is
provided a slot-type antenna for an electronic device. The
slot-type antenna comprises: a conductive main plate extending in a
longitudinal direction, formed with a slot, and having a first
plate portion that surrounds the slot and that defines a periphery
of the slot, and a second plate portion that extends from one side
of the first plate portion in a transverse direction relative to
the longitudinal direction; a conductive signal feeding leg
electrically connected to the first plate portion of the main plate
and adapted to be connected to an electromagnetic transmitter and
an electromagnetic receiver; and a conductive extension plate
electrically, adjustably, and selectively connected to one of the
first and second plate portions so as to permit extension and
retraction of the main plate in the longitudinal direction and vary
the dimension of the slot that is exposed from the main plate and
the extension plate when the extension plate is connected to the
first plate portion, and so as to permit extension and retraction
of the main plate in the transverse direction when the extension
plate is connected to the second plate portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the
invention,
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional plate-type
antenna;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a
plate-type antenna of this invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the plate-type
antenna of FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of another
preferred embodiment of the plate-type antenna modified from the
embodiment of FIG. 2;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a
slot-type antenna of this invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an electronic device with
the plate-type antenna of FIG. 2; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cutaway view of a portion encircled in
FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a
plate-type antenna 2 of this invention. The plate-type antenna 2
includes: a conductive radiating plate unit 6; a conductive
grounding plate unit 3 vertically spaced apart from and
electrically connected to the radiating plate unit 6 via a
conductive grounding leg 70; and a conductive signal feeding leg 91
electrically connected to the radiating plate unit 6, spaced apart
from the grounding plate unit 3, and adapted to be connected to an
electromagnetic transmitter and an electromagnetic receiver (not
shown). The radiating plate unit 6 and the grounding plate unit 3
are extendable in a longitudinal direction (A). The plate-type
antenna 2 is characterized in that tuning of the communication
frequency of the same is mainly achieved by adjustment of the
dimension of the radiating plate unit 6, that tuning of the
communication bandwidth of the same is mainly achieved by
adjustment of the dimension of the grounding plate unit 3, and that
adjustment of the input impedance of the same is mainly achieved by
varying the position of electrical contact between the signal
feeding leg 91 and the radiating plate unit 6.
[0022] The radiating plate unit 6 includes rectangular first and
second radiating plates 7, 8. A radiating coupling unit of the
antenna 2 includes a plurality of retaining holes 751 formed in the
first radiating plate 7 and aligned in the longitudinal direction
(A) at two opposite sides 73, 74 of the first radiating plate 7,
and a pair of spaced apart retaining protrusions 851 projecting
from the second radiating plate 8 and selectively into one of the
retaining holes 751 so as to permit extension and retraction of the
radiating plate unit 6 in the longitudinal direction (A) and so as
to couple the first and second radiating plates 7, 8 in a manner
that the first and second radiating plates 7, 8 are in face-to-face
contact with each other. It is apparent to one skilled in the art
that the retaining holes 751 and the retaining protrusions 851 can
be respectively and selectively formed in or on the first and
second radiating plates 7, 8.
[0023] The grounding plate unit 3 includes rectangular first and
second grounding plates 4, 5. A grounding coupling unit of the
antenna 2 includes a plurality of retaining holes 451 formed in the
first grounding plate 4 and aligned in the longitudinal direction
at two opposite sides 43, 44 of the first grounding plate 4, and a
pair of spaced apart retaining protrusions 551 projecting from the
second grounding plate 5 and selectively into one of the retaining
holes 451 so as to permit extension and retraction of the grounding
plate unit 3 in the longitudinal direction (A) and so as to couple
the first and second grounding plates 4, 5 in a manner that the
first and second grounding plates 4, 5 are in face-to-face contact
with each other. It is apparent to one skilled in the art that the
retaining holes 451 and the retaining protrusions 551 can be
respectively and selectively formed in or on the first and second
grounding plates 4, 5.
[0024] The first radiating plate 7 is provided with a tab 78
projecting downwardly from one of the two opposite sides 73 of the
first radiating plate 7. The first grounding plate 4 is formed with
an elongated opening 48 that is vertically aligned with the tab 78.
The antenna 2 further includes a signal coupling unit that includes
a plurality of retaining holes 781 formed in the tab 78 and aligned
in the longitudinal direction (A), and a retaining protrusion 913
projecting from the signal feeding leg 91 and selectively into one
of the retaining holes 781 so as to form an electrical connection
between the signal feeding leg 91 and the first radiating plate 7
that is adjustable in the longitudinal direction (A). The signal
feeding leg 91 extends through the elongated opening 48 to connect
with a coaxial cable 9 which is to be connected to a transmitter
and a receiver (not shown).
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the
plate-type antenna 2 modified from that shown in FIG. 2. Instead of
being rectangular in shape and being aligned in the longitudinal
direction, the second radiating plate 8 is fan-shaped, and the
retaining holes 751 are aligned along an arcuate line.
[0026] The design of the plate-type antenna 2 of this invention
permits adjustment of the dimension of the radiating plate unit 6,
the dimension of the grounding plate unit 3, and the position of
the electrical contact between the signal feeding leg 91 and the
radiating plate unit 6, thereby eliminating the drawbacks as
encountered in the prior art. The plate-type antenna 2 of this
invention can be adapted to the Bluetooth communication system
which has a bandwidth in a range of from 2.4 to 2.5 GHz and a
frequency of 2.45 GHz.
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a slot-type
antenna 2' of this invention. The slot-type antenna 2' includes: a
conductive main plate 20' extending in a longitudinal direction
(D), formed with a slot 21', and having a first plate portion 22'
that surrounds the slot 21' and that defines a periphery of the
slot 21', and a second plate portion 23' that extends from one side
of the first plate portion 22' in a transverse direction (E)
relative to the longitudinal direction (D); a conductive signal
feeding leg 91' electrically connected to the first plate portion
22' of the main plate 20' at one side of the slot 21' that is
opposite to the second plate portion 23' and adapted to be
connected to an electromagnetic transmitter and an electromagnetic
receiver (not shown) a conductive first extension plate 8'
electrically and adjustably connected to the first plate portion
22' so as to permit extension and retraction of the main plate 20'
in the longitudinal direction (D) and vary the dimension of the
slot 21' that is exposed from the main plate 20' and the first
extension plate 8'; and a conductive second extension plate 5'
electrically and adjustably connected to the second plate portion
23' so as to permit extension and retraction of the main plate 20'
in the transverse direction (E). The slot-type antenna 2' is
characterized in that tuning of the communication frequency of the
same is mainly achieved by adjustment of the dimension of the slot
21', that tuning of the communication bandwidth of the same is
mainly achieved by adjustment of the dimension of the second plate
portion 23' of the main plate 20', and that adjustment of the input
impedance of the same is mainly achieved by varying the position of
electrical contact between the signal feeding leg 91' and the
second plate portion 22' of the main plate 20'.
[0028] A first coupling unit of the antenna 2' includes a plurality
of retaining holes 221' formed in the first plate portion 22' of
the main plate 20' and aligned in the longitudinal direction (D),
and a pair of retaining protrusions 811' projecting from the first
extension plate 8' and selectively into one of the retaining holes
221' so as to permit extension and retraction of the main plate 20'
along the longitudinal direction (D).
[0029] A second coupling unit of the antenna 2' includes a
plurality of retaining holes 331' formed in the second plate
portion 23' and aligned in the transverse direction (E), and a pair
of retaining protrusions 511' projecting from the second extension
plate 5' and selectively into one of the retaining holes 331' so as
to permit extension and retraction of the main plate 20' along the
transverse direction (E).
[0030] A third coupling unit of the antenna 2' includes a plurality
of retaining holes 231' formed in the first plate portion 22' of
the main plate 20' and aligned in the longitudinal direction (D),
and a protrusion 933' projecting from the signal feeding leg 91'
and selectively into one of the retaining holes 231' so as to form
an electrical connection between the signal feeding leg 91' and the
first plate portion 22' of the main plate 20' that is adjustable
along the longitudinal direction (D). A coaxial cable 90' has a
conductive inner core 92' that is electrically connected to the
signal feeding leg 91', and a conductive grounding wire mesh 93'
that is radially spaced apart from the inner core 92' via a
dielectric sheath and that is electrically connected to the main
plate 20'.
[0031] Similar to the plate-type antenna 2 of this invention, the
slot-type antenna 2' can eliminate the drawbacks as encountered in
the prior art.
[0032] The antenna 2, 2' of this invention can be built into an
electronic device, such as a cellular phone and a portable
computer. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a notebook computer with the
plate-type antenna of FIG. 2. The notebook computer includes a
housing 97 and a circuit board 98 mounted in the housing 97. The
housing 97 includes two opposing hinge housing portions 971. The
plate-type antenna 2 is mounted in one of the hinge housing
portions 971 via screw means 983. The signal feeding leg 91 is
electrically connected to the circuit board 98 via the cable 9 so
as to provide the notebook computer with a wireless communication
feature.
[0033] With the invention thus explained, it is apparent that
various modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the spirit of the present invention.
* * * * *