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Mobile Phone Patent Abstract
Disclosed herein is an antenna device for a mobile phone having
a body housing, a sliding housing for sliding up or down lengthwise
along the body housing, a sliding module for connecting the sliding
housing to the body housing in the manner that allows the sliding
housing to slide up or down, and a main antenna device in the sliding
housing. In the antenna device for the mobile phone, at least one
sub-antenna device is installed lengthwise facing the sliding module
and is electrically connected to or separated from the body housing,
slidingly approaching or moving away from the body housing along
with the sliding module, and at least one connection unit electrically
connects the sub-antenna device to the body housing for signal transmission
between the sub-antenna device and the body housing.
Mobile Phone Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An antenna device in a mobile phone having a body housing, a
sliding housing for sliding up or down in a lengthwise direction
along the body housing, a sliding module for connecting the sliding
housing to the body housing to allow the sliding housing to slide
up or down, and a main antenna device installed on a first plane
in the sliding housing, the antenna device comprising: at least
one sub-antenna device installed in the lengthwise direction facing
the sliding module and on a second plane perpendicular to the first
plane, for electrically connecting to or separating from the body
housing, slidingly approaching or moving away from the body housing
along with the sliding module; and at least one connection unit
for electrically connecting the at least one sub-antenna device
to a main printed circuit board (PCB) installed on a third plane
parallel to the first plane and in the body housing for signal transmission
between the at least one sub-antenna device and the main PCB.
2. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein two sub-antenna devices
are symmetrically installed with respect to the body housing in
the vicinity of the inner side surfaces of the sliding module.
3. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sub-antenna
device is formed in a meander line pattern.
4. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein the at least one connection
unit includes a connection terminal provided at one end of the at
least one sub-antenna device, and a connector is provided at an
end of the body housing for electrically connecting to the connection
terminal.
5. The antenna device of claim 4, wherein the connector is formed
of metal.
6. The antenna device of claim 4, wherein the connector includes
a screw engagement portion at an end of the connector, for securing
the connector to the body housing, and a connection portion at an
other end of the connector, for being electrically connected to
the connection terminal.
7. The antenna device of claim 6, wherein the screw engagement
portion includes a curved fixing portion for fixedly engaging with
a fixing groove formed in the body housing.
8. The antenna device of claim 6, wherein the connection portion
is a pin connector.
9. The antenna device of claim 8, further comprising a connector
hole formed in the body housing, for allowing the pin connector
to extend through the connector hole.
10. The antenna device of claim 4, further comprising two antenna
engagement portions in the main PCB, for being electrically connected
to the screw engagement portion, and a connection line between antenna
engagement portions, for electrically connecting the two antenna
engagement portions.
11. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein as the sliding module
slides up the sliding housing in the lengthwise direction away from
the body housing, a connector of the at least one sub-antenna device
slides up along with the sliding module and is electrically connected
to a connection portion of the connector, whereby increasing reception
sensitivity is achieved by using both the at least one sub-antenna
device and the main antenna device as an antenna, and wherein, as
the sliding module slides down the sliding housing in the lengthwise
direction toward the body housing, the connector of the at least
one sub-antenna device slides down along with the sliding module
and is electrically separated from the connection portion of the
connector, and only the main antenna device is used as the antenna.
12. An antenna device in a sliding type mobile phone having a body
housing, a sliding housing for sliding up or down in a lengthwise
direction along the body housing, and a main antenna device installed
on a first plane in the sliding housing, the antenna device comprising:
at least one sub-antenna device installed in the lengthwise direction
in the sliding housing and on a second plane perpendicular to the
first plane, for electrically connecting to or separating from the
body housing, slidingly approaching or moving away from the body
housing along with the sliding housing; and at least one connection
unit for electrically connecting the at least one sub-antenna device
to a main printed circuit board (PCB) installed on a third plane
parallel to the first plane and in the body housing for signal transmission
between the sub-antenna device and the main PCB.
13. An antenna device in a mobile phone having a body housing,
a sliding housing for sliding up or down in a lengthwise direction
along the body housing, a sliding module for connecting the sliding
housing to the body housing to allow the sliding housing to slide
up or down, and a main antenna device installed on a first plane
in the sliding housing, the antenna device comprising: at least
one sub-antenna device installed in the lengthwise direction facing
the sliding module and on a second plane perpendicular to the first
plane, for electrically connecting to or separating from the body
housing; and at least one connection unit for electrically connecting
the at least one sub-antenna device to a main printed circuit board
(PCB) installed on a third plane parallel to the first plane and
in the body housing for signal transmission between the at least
one sub-antenna device and the main PCB.
Mobile Phone Patent Description
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119 to an
application entitled "Antenna Device for a Mobile Phone"
filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 17, 2004
and assigned Serial No. 2004-107872, the contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antenna device with a sub-antenna
device configured to be electrically connected to or separated from
a sliding up-type mobile phone, sliding up or down along the mobile
phone.
2. Description of the Related Art
The term "portable communication device" typically refers
to a device that allows a user to wirelessly communicate with an
other party, while being convenient to carry. Portable communication
devices include HHPs (Hand Held Phones), CT-2 (Cordless Telephones-2),
cellular phones, digital phones, PCS (Personal Communications Service)
phones, and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants). The devices are
classified into a plurality of types according to their appearance.
For example, mobile phones are classified into a bar type, a flip
type, a folder type, a sliding type, and a sliding-up type. The
mobile phones each are provided with an antenna device, a data input/output
device, and a data transmitter and receiver. An LCD (Liquid Crystal
Display) is usually adopted as a visual data output device.
A keypad is typically provided for data input, basically as an
array of keys. These keys include a Send (SND) key, a Cancel key,
a Clear (CLR) key, an End key, a Power (PWR) key, alphanumerical
keys, and other function keys.
A recent soaring increase in the number of mobile users indicates
that mobile phones are becoming a necessity. Beyond the original
function of making phone calls, the mobile phones can now be additionally
used to listen to the radio, listen to MP3 music, and view moving
pictures, and used as a remote control device.
Also, mobile phones have been developed to have a camera and support
high-speed data communication. This implies that many devices are
mounted into the mobile phone to satisfy various user demands. As
these devices are used, they occupy various areas within the phone,
and the area for installing a built-in antenna is reduced.
To allow the mobile phone to perform the above-described voice
and other wireless functions, an antenna device is located at a
proper position of a mobile phone to transmit and receive signals.
The antenna device typically takes the form of a whip antenna or
a helical antenna.
The helical antenna is more common in that it boasts of a decreased
antenna height in an installed state. Unlike an extendable rod antenna,
the helical antenna is detachably fixed to an upper end of a main
body, having a portion extended upward in the mobile phone. The
protruded configuration of the helical antenna limits the design
options of mobile phones that use a helical antenna.
To overcome the drawback of the helical antenna, a built-in antenna
device has become widespread in mobile phones.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a sliding up-type mobile phone 10
includes a body housing 20, a sliding housing 30 disposed above
the body housing 20, for sliding up/down to recede from/approach
the body housing 20, and a sliding module 40 for connecting the
sliding housing 30 to the body housing 20 in the manner that allows
the sliding housing 30 to slide up/down. The body housing 20 has
a display 21, an array of keys 22, and a microphone 23. The sliding
housing 30 is provided with a speaker 31 and a main antenna device
32.
The conventional antenna device in the sliding up-type mobile phone
is built on an inner surface of the sliding housing, to slide lengthwise.
This configuration changes the impedance of the antenna device as
the sliding housing slides up or down. Because the radiation performance
of the mobile phone depends on impedance matching, an inappropriately
matched impedance results in insufficient antenna orientation and
gain, and makes it difficult to achieve maximum radiation performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to substantially solve at
least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at
least the advantages below. Accordingly, an object of the present
invention is to provide an antenna device with a sub-antenna device
configured to be electrically connected to or separated from a sliding
up-type mobile phone, sliding up or down along the mobile phone,
in order to improve the antenna performance of the mobile phone.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an antenna
device with a sub-antenna device configured to be electrically connected
to or separated from a sliding up-type mobile phone, sliding up
or down along the mobile phone, in order to improve the antenna
performance of the mobile phone by minimizing the variation of antenna
impedance through interaction between the sub-antenna device and
an existing main antenna device.
The above objects are achieved through the provision of an antenna
device for a mobile phone having a body housing, a sliding housing
for sliding up or down lengthwise along the body housing, a sliding
module for connecting the sliding housing to the body housing in
the manner that allows the sliding housing to slide up or down lengthwise,
and a main antenna device in the sliding housing. At least one sub-antenna
device is installed lengthwise facing the sliding module and is
electrically connected to or separated from the body housing, slidingly
approaching or receding from the body housing along with the sliding
module, and at least one connection unit electrically connects the
sub-antenna device to the body housing for signal transmission between
the sub-antenna device and the body housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
in which:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional sliding up-type mobile
phone in a sliding down state;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the conventional sliding up-type mobile
phone in a sliding up state;
FIG. 3 illustrates an interior of a sliding housing in the conventional
sliding up-type mobile phone illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an antenna device in
a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion A illustrated
in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the antenna device in which a sub-antenna
device is separated from a connector in the mobile phone according
to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a front view of the antenna device before it operates
in the mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a front view of the antenna device after it operates
in the mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention;
and
FIG. 9 is a front view of the antenna device in which the sub-antenna
device is brought into contact with the connector in the mobile
phone according to the embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below
with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description,
well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail
to avoid obscuring the invention with unnecessary detail.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the sliding up-type mobile phone 10
in which an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present
invention operates includes the body housing 20 extended in a lengthwise
direction, the sliding housing 30 for sliding up or down along the
length of the body housing 20, the sliding module 40 for connecting
the sliding housing 30 to the body housing 20 in a manner that allows
the sliding housing 30 to slide up or down in the lengthwise direction,
and the main antenna device 32 in the sliding housing 30.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the antenna device includes at least
one sub-antenna device 200 (with two sub-antenna devices shown)
and at least one connection unit 300 (with two connection units
shown). The sub-antenna devices 200 are installed to face the sliding
module 40 in the lengthwise direction so that they can be electrically
connected to or separated from the body housing 20, with the sliding
movement of the sliding module 40. The connection units 300 are
installed in the body housing 20 and the sub-antenna devices 200
to electrically connect the sub-antenna devices 200 to the body
housing 20 for signal transmission between the sub-antenna-devices
200 and the body housing 20.
Referring to FIG. 4, the sub-antenna devices 200 are preferably
installed symmetrically facing each other with respect to the body
housing 20 in the vicinity of the inner side surfaces of the sliding
module 40, to improve antenna reception sensitivity as the sliding
housing 30 slides up, receding from the body housing 20. The sub-antenna
devices 200 are preferably formed in meander line antenna patterns.
Referring to FIGS. 5 to 9, each connection unit 300 includes a
connection terminal 301 and a connector 302. The connection terminal
301 is provided at an end of the sub-antenna device 200 to be electrically
connected to the connector 302 when it slides up in the lengthwise
direction. A connector 302 is preferably provided at each side of
the body housing 20 to electrically connect to a respective connection
terminal 301 of a sub-antenna device 200. The connector 302 is formed
of a metal to be electrically conductive.
As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, each connector 302 is provided
with a screw engagement portion 302a at an end thereof, for fitting
around a screw hole 24e formed in the body housing 20 and allowing
a screw 400 to fixedly extend therethrough.
The connector 302 is provided with a connection portion 302b at
the other end thereof, for electrically connecting the connection
terminal 301. A curved fixing portion 302c is formed at the screw
engagement portion 302a, to be fixedly engaged with a fixing groove
24c in the body housing 20. The connection portion 302b is formed
into a pin connector to be easily connected to the connection terminal
301 of the sub-antenna device. The pin connector is provided with
a curved portion for providing elastic force. A connector hole 24d
is formed in the body housing 20, for allowing the pin connector
to extend therethrough and connect to the connection terminal 301.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 24 in
the body housing 20 is provided with at least one antenna engagement
portion 24a (with two antenna engagement portions shown) to be electrically
engaged with the screw engagement portion 302a. A connection line
24b is formed between the antenna engagement portions 24a to electrically
connect the antenna engagement portions 24a.
The operation of the thus-configured antenna device in the mobile
phone according to the embodiment of the present invention will
be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the sliding up-type mobile phone 10
is provided with one or more sub-antenna devices 200 facing the
sliding module 40 in a lengthwise direction. The sub-antenna devices
200 are preferably installed in the sliding module 40 to symmetrically
face each other with respect to the body housing 20.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show the sliding module 40 having been slid up with
the sliding housing 30 to recede from the body housing 20 in the
lengthwise direction. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the sub-antenna
devices 200 slide up along with the sliding module 40 and are electrically
connected to the connectors 302 in the body housing 20.
Specifically, the connectors 301 of the sub-antenna devices 200
are brought into contact with the connection portions 302b of the
connectors 302. The connection portions 302b are extended and exposed
through the connector holes 24d in the body housing 20. In this
state, the connection portions 302b are connected to the connectors
301.
Thus, the sub-antenna devices 200 and the main antenna device 32
are used as an antenna, increasing the reception sensitivity of
the antenna and improving impedance matching.
Referring to FIG. 8, since one or more antenna engagement portions
24a are provided on the PCB 24 within the body housing 20 to be
electrically engaged with the screw engagement portions 302a, the
connectors 302 are electrically connected to the PCB 24 by means
of the antenna engagement portions 24a. The connection line 24b
runs between and electrically connects the antenna engagement portions
24a.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, as the sliding module 40 slides down
with the sliding housing 30 to approach the body housing 20 in the
lengthwise direction, the connection terminals 301 of the sub-antenna
devices 200 are separated from the connection portions 302b of the
connectors 302, sliding down along with the sliding module 40. In
this state, only the main antenna device 32 within the sliding housing
30 acts as the antenna.
In accordance with the present invention as described above, a
sub-antenna device is configured to electrically connect to or separate
from a sliding up-type mobile phone, sliding up or down along the
mobile phone. Therefore, antenna radiation performance can be improved
by minimizing the variation of antenna impedance through interaction
between the sub-antenna device and an existing main antenna device.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference
to a certain preferred embodiment thereof, it is a mere exemplary
application. For example, the present invention is applicable to
any portable terminal. Thus, it will be understood by those skilled
in the art that various changes in form and details may be made
therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims. |