Antenna for radio telephone

• US 6,414,638 B1
• Filed: 07/26/1999
• Issued: 07/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Houkou Electric Corporation
• Original Assignee: Houkou Electric Corporation
• Inventors: Egashira, Yoshimi
• Primary Examiner(s): Wimer, Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US09/360,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20020033771A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: H01/Q.124, 343/702, 343/900, 343/895
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/084 Pivotable antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/244 extendable from a housing along a given path

Abstract

Provides an antenna for a radio telephone whereby, in a state wherein the rod-shaped antenna is extended to outside the case of the radio telephone, the effects of the human body are negligible and emission of radio waves at an angle close to the horizontal direction is possible, and in a state wherein the rod-shaped antenna is retracted within the case, no unwanted radiation is produced. For this purpose, a helical antenna 20 having an electrical length of λ/4 and a rod-shaped antenna 10 extendable and retractable with respect to the case through the hollow central portion of the helical antenna 20 and having an electrical length of about 3λ/8 and inductive reactance are electrically coupled by means of an electrostatic coupling portion 30 having capacitive reactance such that, in the state wherein the rod-shaped antenna 10 is extended from the case 50, the inductive reactance of the rod-shaped antenna 10 is cancelled out. The length of the bottom portion 12a of the connecting member 12 is set to a length such that when the rod-shaped antenna 10 is retracted within the case 50, the bottom portion 12a of the connecting member 12 passes through the helical coil 12 over the entire length thereof, severing electrical coupling between the helical antenna 20 and the rod-shaped antenna 10.

Claims

1. An antenna for a radio telephone, comprising:

a helical antenna having an electrical length of about λ

/4, wherein λ

is a wavelength of a service frequency, and having a basal end thereof, which is arranged on a wall of a case of the radio telephone, connected to a power supply component of the radio telephone; and

a rod antenna extendable and retractable with respect to the case of the radio telephone through a hollow central portion of the helical antenna, with an electrical length of about 3λ

/8 and having inductive reactance;

wherein a basal end of the rod antenna and a distal end of the helical antenna are electrically coupled in series by means of an electrostatic coupling portion having a capacitive reactance that cancels out the inductive reactance when the rod antenna is extended from the radio telephone case, and

wherein a gap is formed between the basal end of said rod antenna and the distal end of said helical antenna when said rod antenna is being used, said gap being defined by a longitudinal space between the basal end of said rod antenna and the distal end of said helical antenna.

2. An antenna for a radio telephone as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that an insulating grip for extending and retracting the rod antenna with respect to the case, and an insulating connecting member for connecting the grip and the rod antenna are integrally formed through insert molding at a distal end of the rod antenna.

3. An antenna for a radio telephone as set forth in claim 2, characterized in that the length of the connecting member is set to a length such that when the rod antenna is retracted within the case, the connecting member passes through the helical antenna over the entire length thereof, severing electrical coupling between the helical antenna and the rod antenna.

4. An antenna for a radio telephone as set forth in claim 1, characterized by being provided with a projecting portion situated over a portion of the top face of the case of the radio telephone;

the top portion of the projecting portion being provided with a retaining portion for retaining the bottom portion of the rod antenna when the rod antenna is extended from the case; and

the helical antenna being arranged concentrically with respect to the rod antenna in the space within the projecting portion with a gap between the helical antenna and the basal end of the rod antenna.

5. A radio device antenna comprising:

a rod antenna having an electrical length of roughly 3λ

/8, wherein λ

is a wavelength of a service frequency, said rod antenna exhibiting an inductive reactance; and

a helical antenna having an electrical length of λ

/4, said helical antenna being deployed on a wall of a case of a radio device and having a basal end thereof being connected to a power supply of the radio device,

wherein said helical antenna and said rod antenna are electrically coupled in series in an electrostatic coupling portion when said rod antenna is being used, said electrostatic coupling having a capacitive reactance that cancels out said inductive reactance, and wherein a gap is formed between a basal end of said rod antenna and a distal end of said helical antenna when said rod antenna is being used, said gap being defined by a longitudinal space between the basal end of said rod antenna and the distal end of said helical antenna.

6. The radio device antenna according to claim 5, wherein said rod antenna can be freely raised and lowered between a deployed position projecting from said radio device case when in use, and a non-deployed position folded along part of said case when not in use.

7. An antenna for a radio telephone as set forth in claim 5, characterized in that the electrostatic coupling portion constitutes a mechanical structure.

8. An antenna for a radio telephone as set forth in claim 5, characterized in that the distance between a power supply portion and a metal retaining member for retaining the rod antenna is of such a size that the free electrostatic capacitance created between the two is essentially zero.

9. An antenna for a radio telephone as set forth in claim 5, characterized in that the resonance frequency of the rod antenna and the resonance frequency of the helical antenna are set so as to provide multiple tuning characteristics.