Integrated external antenna

• US 8,138,978 B1
• Filed: 01/11/2008
• Issued: 03/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Motion Computing Incorporated (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Vier, Bradford Edward, Steigerwald, Todd Winfield, Bobo, Don A., Howell, Loren, Love, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): MANCUSO, HUEDUNG XUAN CAO
• Application Number:
  US11/972,982
• Time in Patent Office: 1,530 Days
• Field of Search: 343/702, 343/846, 343793-795, 343900-902, 343/906, 455/90
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/084 Pivotable antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1207 for fastening a rigid aerial element
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/245 with means for shaping the antenna pattern, e.g. in order to protect user against rf exposure

Abstract

An antenna system for an electronic device enables the device to communicate via numerous wireless communication protocols, such as wireless broadband communication protocols. The antenna is able to extend from the body of the electronic device in order to meet efficiency and specific absorption rate requirements, while retracting into the footprint of the device when not in use. The antenna is easily disassembled and reassembled from the device without the use of tools, and may automatically disassemble from the device in order to avoid sustaining damage or exposing a user to excessive electromagnetic radiation.

Claims

1. An antenna apparatus configured to detach from a housing of an electronic apparatus when the antenna apparatus is rotated beyond a fully extended position, comprising:

an antenna having opposed distal ends;

a cylindrically shaped pin located near one of the distal ends and extending from a side of the antenna apparatus, wherein a central axis of the pin serves as an axis of rotation for the antenna apparatus;

a detent, operably shaped to palpably engage the antenna apparatus in a fully extended position when the antenna apparatus is rotated about the central axis to a first angle; and

a cam having a sloped surface that is operably shaped to detach the antenna apparatus from the housing of the electronic apparatus when the antenna is rotated beyond the first angle.

2. The antenna apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sloped surface of the cam is operably shaped to engage a sloped surface of a cam included within the housing of the electronic apparatus, and wherein when the antenna apparatus is rotated about the central axis to a second angle greater than the first angle, the sloped surfaces of the cams included within the antenna apparatus and the electronic apparatus force the antenna apparatus to separate away from the electronic apparatus.

3. The antenna apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pin is coupled to a spring for biasing the antenna outward.

4. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

an electronic apparatus housing having a planar surface on which an electronic display is mounted and side surfaces along the lateral extents of the planar surface, with an aperture extending into one of the side surfaces;

an antenna having a singular pin extending along an axis of rotation of the antenna from a side surface of the antenna near one of a pair of opposing distal ends of the antenna, wherein the pin is biased outward along the axis and against an opposing biased contact plate configured within the aperture of the electronic apparatus;

a set of arcuate protrusions mounted on the antenna and spaced radially outside the pin;

a first cam mounted on the antenna and radially outside the set of protrusions;

a second cam mounted on the computer and spaced radially outside the aperture; and

wherein the first and second cams are configured to engage and disengage with each other when the pin is rotatably inserted into the aperture.

5. The electronic apparatus of claim 4, wherein the aperture comprises a central axis and a contact plate yieldably biased outward from within the computer housing along the central axis of the aperture.

6. The electronic apparatus of claim 4, wherein the aperture comprises a circular recess located on an axis that is approximately parallel to the lateral surface of the computer and approximately perpendicular to the side of the portable computer;

and near the rearmost lateral extent of the electronic apparatus.

7. The electronic apparatus of claim 4, wherein the protrusion is yieldably biased outward from the antenna to remain in physical contact with the contact plate when the protrusion is rotably inserted into the aperture.

8. A method for extending an antenna, comprising:

inserting a fingertip into a recess within a side surface of a electronic system housing, between the recessed portion of the side surface and an antenna;

applying force onto the antenna in a direction substantially perpendicular to a planar surface of the electronic system housing having an electronic display;

applying rotational force onto the antenna to rotate the antenna about a pivot point at which only one end of the antenna is rotably affixed to the side surface of the electronic system housing;

discontinuing the application of rotational force when detents on the antenna palpably engages with mating detents on the computer housing; and

thereafter by continuing the application of rotational force, the antenna separates from the side surface of the electronic system housing.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising maintaining a constant pressure coupling of the antenna throughout the range of motion of the antenna.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising rotating the antenna about the internal radial surface of the aperture.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

continuous application of rotational force to engage a cam on the antenna with a mating cam on the electronic system housing; and

arranging said cam surfaces at an angle that will generate a force to separate the antenna from the electronic system housing when the cam on the antenna is engaged with the cam on the electronic system housing.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising continuously adjusting the antenna throughout its range of motion to position the antenna to obtain optimal antenna efficiency.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the cam of the electronic system housing and the cam of the antenna engage one another when a person attempts to move the antenna to a predetermined angle.

14. An antenna system, comprising an internal assembly and an external assembly, wherein the external assembly comprises:

intermittently placed, arcuate set of protrusions extending from a first side surface of the antenna near one of a pair of distal ends of the antenna;

and a singular pin also extending along an axis extending equidistant from each of the set of protrusions from the first side surface; and

wherein the singular pin is biased outward along the axis and against an oppositely biased contact plate when the protrusions are rotably inserted into an aperture; and

wherein the internal assembly comprises;

a circular recess configured to receive the intermittently placed, arcuate set of protrusions; and

a contact plate, biased toward the external assembly, wherein the contact structure is coupled to a transceiver.

15. The antenna system of claim 14, wherein the external assembly moves rotationally from the internal assembly about a common axis of the arcuate set of protrusions and circular recess.

16. The antenna system of claim 15, wherein:

the external and internal assemblies each comprise slanted protrusions that are arranged an equal distance from the axis of the circular recess;

wherein the slanted protrusions will come into contact with one another when the external assembly reaches a predetermined orientation relative to the internal assembly; and

wherein said contact will cause the external assembly to decouple from the internal assembly.

17. The antenna system of claim 16, wherein:

the external assembly is reattached to the internal assembly by forcing the arcuate set of protrusions into the circular recess; and

wherein the singular pin of the internal assembly couples with the contact plate of the internal assembly when the external assembly is reattached to the internal assembly.

18. The antenna system of claim 16, wherein the slanted protrusions are positioned to limit the range of motion of the external assembly with respect to the internal assembly to between 0 and 100°

of rotation.

19. The antenna system of claim 14, wherein the arcuate set of protrusions of the external assembly is sized so that a frictional resistance force will impede motion about the axes of the circular protrusion and the circular recess.

20. The antenna system of claim 19, wherein the frictional resistance force will cause the external assembly to remain motionless with respect to the internal assembly at any point within the range of motion of the external assembly unless the external assembly is subject to a force that exceeds the frictional resistance force.

21. The antenna system of claim 14, wherein:

the arcuate set of protrusions of the external assembly comprises a set of detent protrusions;

the circular recess of the internal assembly comprises a set of detent recesses;

a detent protrusion and detent recess will engage one another an exert an additional force on the external assembly external assembly to cause the external assembly to remain static when the external assembly is at the initial point in its range of motion; and

a detent protrusion and detent recess will engage one another an exert an additional force on the external assembly external assembly to cause the external assembly to remain static when the external assembly is at the terminal point in its range of motion.