ANTENNA HAVING A HELICAL ANTENNA ELEMENT EXTENDING ALONG A CYLINDRICAL FLEXIBLE SUBSTRATE

• US 20020047812A1
• Filed: 07/15/1999
• Published: 04/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEC Tokin Corporation (Yageo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NEC Tokin Corporation (Yageo Corporation)
• Inventors: MINEGISHI, KAZUO, OTOMO, SHINICHI
• Granted Patent: US 6,384,799 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/895
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/242 specially adapted for hand-held use
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/244 extendable from a housing along a given path
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/362 for broadside radiating helical antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 11/08 Helical antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 11/083 Tapered helical aerials, e.g. conical spiral aerials

Abstract

In an antenna for use in a mobile communication apparatus and having a helical antenna element (40) of a helical shape, the helical antenna element is mounted on a flexible substrate (1) rounded to form a cylindrical shape. The helical antenna element has a plurality of oblique conductive patterns (4) extending along the flexible substrate and electrically connected to one another at their terminal ends to form the helical shape. The oblique conductive patterns have a pitch similar therebetween.

Claims

1. An antenna for use in a mobile communication apparatus, comprising:

a helical antenna element of a helical shape; and

a flexible substrate rounded to form a cylindrical shape, said helical antenna element comprising a plurality of oblique conductive patterns extending along said flexible substrate and electrically connected to one another at their terminal ends to form said helical shape, said oblique conductive patterns having a pitch similar therebetween.

2. An antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible substrate has end portions facing to each other in said cylindrical shape, each of said oblique conductive patters extending between said end portions.

3. An antenna as claimed in claim 2, wherein said oblique conductive patterns are parallel to one another.

4. An antenna as claimed in claim 2, wherein said oblique conductive patterns have a width similar to one another.

5. An antenna as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an antenna top containing said flexible substrate of the cylindrical shape.

6. An antenna as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a conductive sleeve fitted as a feeding portion to said flexible substrate of the cylindrical shape.

7. An antenna as claimed in claim 6, wherein said flexible substrate has a feeding contact formed on one of two remaining sides thereof to be electrically connected to said sleeve.

8. An antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein said helical antenna element further comprises a plurality of contact pin terminals connected to one ends of said oblique conductive patterns and a plurality of contact receptacle terminals connected to the other ends of said oblique conductive patterns, said contact pin terminals and said contact receptacle terminals being connected to each other in one-to-one correspondence.