ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20150349407A1
• Filed: 12/25/2013
• Published: 12/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: NISHIZAKA, Naoki, TOGASHI, Daisuke, IMAMURA, Motonori
• Granted Patent: US 9,774,075 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/10 Resonant slot antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/371 Branching current paths
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/42 with folded element, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of the operating wavelength
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring

Abstract

Provided is an electronic device in which, if an antenna element is formed on the surface of a housing, restrictions on the formation of the antenna element are less likely to arise. The following are provided: a rear case, an antenna element, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the antenna element. The antenna unit comprises a first section that is formed by applying a conductive material onto a first main surface of the rear case, and a second section. A dielectric or an insulator is interposed between the first section and the second section.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a casing;

an antenna element; and

a power supply unit that supplies electrical power to the antenna element;

wherein the antenna element is composed of a first section which is formed by applying a conductive material on a first principal surface of the casing, and a second section, with a dielectric body or an insulating body being interposed between the first section and the second section.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein:

the casing is formed of the dielectric body or the insulating body;

the first section is formed on the first principal surface of the casing; and

the second section is formed on a second principal surface which is on an opposite side to the first principal surface across the casing.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein a through hole which communicatively connects the first principal surface side with the second principal surface side is formed on the casing;

a connecting unit which electrically connects a first end of the first section with a first end of the second section is disposed in the through hole; and

the power supply unit is in contact with a second end of the second section.

4. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein a through hole which communicatively connects the first principal surface side with the second principal surface side is formed on the casing;

a connecting unit which electrically connects a first end of the first section with a first end of the second section is disposed in the through hole; and

the power supply unit is in contact with the first end of the second section.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein:

the first principal surface is an outer surface of the casing;

the second principal surface is an inner surface of the casing;

the second section is disposed at a position which overlaps with the first section in a thickness direction of the casing; and

the first section length is smaller than the second section length.

6. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the first section is composed of a conductive adhesive that binds the casing with other members.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein:

a surface of the first section is covered by the dielectric body or the insulating body; and

the second section is formed by applying a conductive material on the dielectric body or the insulating body.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein:

a first end of the first section is connected with the power supply unit;

the second section is a passive element;

a first end of the second section is connected with the casing;

a second end of the first section and a second end of the second section are facing each other across the dielectric body or the insulating body.

9. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein:

the second section is formed by applying a conductive material on the dielectric body or the insulating body outside of a predetermined area;

the predetermined area overlaps with the first section in a thickness direction of the dielectric body or the insulating body; and

an edge portion that forms a border with the predetermined area in the second section is supplied with electrical power by the power supply unit and operates as a slot antenna.

10. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover that is attached to the casing,

wherein:

the first section is formed on an outer surface of the casing;

when the cover is attached to the casing, an inner surface of the cover is spaced apart from the outer surface of the casing at a predetermined distance; and

the second section is formed by applying a conductive material on the inner surface of the cover.

11. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein:

an opening for exposing an electronic component provided in the casing is formed on the cover;

the second section is formed by applying a conductive material on an area surrounding the opening on the cover;

the surrounding area overlaps with the first section in a thickness direction of the dielectric body or the insulating body; and

an edge portion that forms the area surrounding the opening in the second section is supplied with electrical power by the power supply unit and operates as a slot antenna.