Antenna apparatus and electronic device with the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016285151-A1
Application number	US-201615077122-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 22, 2016
Priority date	Mar 27, 2015
Publication date	Sep 29, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A handheld electronic device is provided. The handheld electronic device includes a front cover forming the front of the handheld electronic device, a back cover forming the back of the handheld electronic device, a side member at least partially surrounding a space between the front cover and the back cover, a display module, housed in the space, with a screen area exposed through the front cover, and a ground plate housed in the space. At least part of the side member and/or the back cover includes a conductive material. The handheld electronic device includes first and second connection terminals electrically connected to the at least part. The at least part forms at least part of an antenna of the handheld electronic device, and comprises first and second areas which are spaced apart from each other. The first area is electrically connected to the second area and the first connection terminal.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A handheld electronic device comprising:
a front cover forming a front of the handheld electronic device; a back cover forming a back of the handheld electronic device; a side member at least partially surrounding a space between the front cover and the back cover; a display module, housed in the space, with a screen area exposed through the front cover; and a ground plate housed in the space, wherein at least part of the side member and the back cover comprises a conductive material, wherein the handheld electronic device comprises first and second connection terminals electrically connected to the at least part, wherein the at least part forms at least part of an antenna of the handheld electronic device, and comprises first and second areas which are spaced apart from each other, wherein the first area is electrically connected to the second area and the first connection terminal, and wherein the second area is electrically connected to the second connection terminal.

2 . The handheld electronic device of claim 1 ,
wherein the first area is electrically connected to a first communication module and a second communication module of which a frequency differs from that of the first communication module, via the first connection terminal, and wherein the handheld electronic device further comprises a conductive part configured so that current of the frequency corresponding to the first communication module flows between the first area and the second area; and current of a frequency corresponding to the second communication module does not flow between the first area and the second area.

3 . The handheld electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the conductive part comprises:
an inductor.

4 . The handheld electronic device of claim 1 ,
wherein the back cover further comprises a third area made of a non-conductive material, wherein first and second sections of the second area are located to a left and right of the third area, respectively, and wherein a third section of the second area and the first area are located to the bottom and top of the third area, respectively.

5 . The handheld electronic device of claim 4 , wherein the first, second and third areas form at least part of a rear of the handheld electronic device with an antenna, or at least part of an external cover covering the rear.

6 . The handheld electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the back cover comprises:
a third area which is located between the first and second areas and physically separated from the first and second areas; and at least part of which is made of the conductive material and electrically connects the first area to the second area.

7 . The handheld electronic device of claim 5 ,
wherein the third area forms at least part of a rear of the handheld electronic device with an antenna, or at least part of an external cover covering the rear, and wherein the first and second areas form at least part of the left side member and at least part of the right side member of the handheld electronic device, respectively.

8 . The handheld electronic device of claim 5 , further comprising:
a first insulator inserted between the first and third areas; a second insulator inserted between the second and third areas; a first conductive part allowing current to flow between the first and third areas; and a second conductive part allowing current to flow between the second and third areas.

9 . The handheld electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a coil; a third connection terminal connecting the second connection terminal to a first electrode of the coil; and a third connection terminal connecting a second electrode of the coil to a substrate housed in the space.

10 . The handheld electronic device of claim 9 ,
wherein the first and second areas form at least part of a rear of the handheld electronic device; and wherein the coil is attached to a lower surface of the back cover covering the rear.

11 . The handheld electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
first and second coils; third and fourth connection terminals; and a diplexer for allowing current to flow into the first or second coil, wherein the first and second coils are connected to the second area as a first electrode of the first coil and a first electrode of the second coil contact the second connection terminal; wherein a second electrode of the first coil contacts the third connection terminal; and wherein a second electrode of the second coil contacts the fourth connection terminal.

12 . The handheld electronic device of claim 11 ,
wherein the first and second areas form at least part of a rear of the handheld electronic device with an antenna, and wherein the first and second coils are attached to a lower surface of an external cover covering the rear.

13 . The handheld electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second areas serve as a radiator, and transmit magnetic field signals containing magnetic secure transmission (MST) data.

14 . A handheld electronic device comprising:
a cover at least part of which is made of a conductive material and forms a current path; and first and second connection terminals electrically connected to the at least part of the cover, wherein the at least part of the cover forms at least one slit, and wherein the first and second connection terminals contact a spot, adjacent to the at least one slit, and other different spots, in the at least part of the cover.

15 . The handheld electronic device of claim 14 , further comprising:
a switch housed in the space, wherein the switch is configured to switch the electrical connection on/off between first and second sections in the second area.

16 . A handheld electronic device comprising:
a front cover forming a front of the handheld electronic device; a back cover forming a back of the handheld electronic device; a side member at least partially surrounding a space between the front cover and the back cover; a display module, housed in the space, with a screen area exposed through the front cover; and a coil, a switch and a communication module, which are housed in the space, wherein at least part of the side member and/or the back cover comprises a conductive material, wherein the at least part forms at least part of an antenna of the handheld electronic device, and comprises first, second and third areas which are spaced apart from each other, wherein the communication module is electrically connected to a first electrode of the switch and the coil, wherein the first area is electrically connected to a second electrode of the switch and the second area, wherein the third area is electrically connected to a third electrode of the switch and the second area, and wherein the first electrode of the switch is connected to the second or third electrode.

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Lee Woosup
• Song Iljong
• Park Jungsik
• Lee Youngki
• Lee Jaesuk
• Roh Hyounghwan
• Choi Sehwan

Classifications

• H01Q1/22

  by structural association with other equipment or articles · CPC title

• H01Q1/36

  Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; {Particular materials used therewith}(H01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence) · CPC title

• H04M1/026

  Details of the structure or mounting of specific components · CPC title

• H01Q1/243

  with built-in antennas · CPC title

• H04M1/0277

  for a printed circuit board assembly · CPC title