Antenna

• US 20070252764A1
• Filed: 04/26/2006
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Keski-Opas, Petri
• Granted Patent: US 7,538,730 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence

Abstract

A method including: optimizing space within a device by having a feed element for an antenna as an integral part of the device but not having the antenna as an integral part of the device; and providing the antenna as a part of a battery for the device. A radio communications device including: a battery comprising: a metal housing element; and an accessible conductive contact electrically connected to the metal housing; and a RF feed element for connection to the external conductive contact.

Claims

1. A radio communications device comprising:

a battery comprising;

a metal housing element; and

an accessible conductive contact electrically connected to the metal housing; and

a RF feed element for connection to the external conductive contact.

2. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery further comprises a first external contact and a second external contact for providing charge stored in the battery and wherein the device further comprises a first power contact element for connection to the first external contact and a second power contact element for connection to the second external contact, wherein the first external contact provides the accessible conductive contact for connection with the RF feed element.

3. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first external contact portion is a cathode, the second external contact portion is an anode and the first external contact portion is directly connected to the metal housing element.

4. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the RF feed element is positioned adjacent and parallel to the first power contact element so that it is closer to the first power contact element than the second power contact element.

5. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery further comprises a first external contact and a second external contact for providing charge stored in the battery and wherein the device further comprises a first power contact element for connection to the first external contact and a second power contact element for connection to the second external contact, wherein the second external contact provides the accessible conductive contact for connection with the RF feed element.

6. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first external contact portion is a cathode, second external contact portion is an anode and the second external contact portion is connected to the metal housing element via a capacitor.

7. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the capacitor connects the anode and cathode.

8. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the RF feed element is positioned adjacent and parallel to the second power contact element so that it is closer to the second power contact element than the first power contact element.

9. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery further comprises an insulating cover portion concealing the metal housing element and an aperture in the insulating cover portion that creates access to a portion of the metal housing and thereby defines the accessible conductive contact for connection with the RF feed element.

10. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the accessible conductive element is an exposed conductive element.

11. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the accessible conductive element provides an RF feed but does provide for the charging or discharging of the battery.

12. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the accessible conductive element provides an RF feed and is electrically connected to also provide for the charging and discharging of the battery.

13. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal housing element operates as an antenna element that is fed by the RF feed element.

14. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the antenna element has a resonant frequency that includes 2.4 GHz.

15. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a dc blocking device is a associated with the RF feed element.

16. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a power amplifier and a capacitor connected between the power amplifier and the RF feed element.

17. A radio communications device comprising:

a compartment for receiving a battery that comprises a metal housing element; and

an accessible conductive contact electrically connected to the metal housing element; and

a RF feed positioned within the compartment for connection to the accessible conductive contact when the battery is received within the compartment.

18. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the device further comprises a first power contact element for connection to the accessible conductive contact and a second power contact element for connection to a second external contact of the battery.

19. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first power contact portion is a cathode contact.

20. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the RF feed element is positioned adjacent and parallel to the first power contact element so that it is closer to the first power contact element than the second power contact element.

21. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the device further comprises a first power contact element for connection to a first external contact of the battery and a second power contact element for connection to the accessible contact.

22. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the second power contact portion is an anode contact.

23. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the RF feed element is positioned adjacent and parallel to the second power contact element so that it is closer to the second power contact element than the first power contact element.

24. A radio communications device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the RF feed is arranged within the compartment for connection, via an aperture in an insulating cover portion concealing the metal housing element of the battery, to the external conductive contact when the battery is received within the compartment.

25. A battery comprising:

a metal housing element defining a cavity;

one or more cells within the cavity;

an insulating cover portion concealing the metal housing element;

a first external contact and a second external contact for providing charge stored in the cell or cells to a device connected to the battery; and

an aperture in the insulating cover portion exposing a portion of the metal housing for coupling, in use, to an RF feed.

26. A battery as claimed in claim 25, which in use functions as an antenna.

27. A method comprising:

optimizing space within a device by having a feed element for an antenna as an integral part of the device but not having the antenna as an integral part of the device; and

providing the antenna as a part of a battery for the device.