Wireless communications antenna assembly

• US 9,844,149 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2012
• Issued: 12/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Cariou, Laurent, Fortin, Frdric, Luttrell, Darragh, Vilaylack, Vilasinh
• Primary Examiner(s): Levi, Dameon E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lotter, David
• Application Number:
  US13/671,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20140028502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,861 Days
• Field of Search: 29600, 29601, 343700 MS
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2275 associated to expansion card or bus, e.g. in PCMCIA, PC cards, Wireless USB
• 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
• 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 1/18 Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components H05K1/0201, H05K1/023, H05K1/0243, and H05K1/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09063 Holes or slots in insulating substrate not used for electrical connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10098 Components for radio transmission, e.g. radio frequency identification [RFID] tag, printed or non-printed antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10287 Metal wires as connectors or conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10446 Mounted on an edge
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/30 Assembling printed circuits with electric components, e.g. with resistor
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/3405 Edge mounted components, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49144 by metal fusion

Abstract

A method for constructing a wireless communications apparatus includes attaching a three dimensional antenna having a first end and a second end to a printed circuit board (PCB) using a spring-loaded attachment mechanism. The three dimensional antenna is attached in an orientation that is perpendicular to a mounting surface of the PCB. The first end of the three dimensional antenna is further soldered to the PCB.

Claims

1. A method for constructing a wireless communications apparatus for communication between a computing device and a corresponding peripheral device, the method comprising:

laterally compressing a three dimensional antenna having a first end and a second end;

inserting the three dimensional antenna, while compressed, into one or more notches in one end of a printed circuit board (PCB), wherein the three dimensional antenna is attached in an orientation that is perpendicular to a mounting surface of the PCB;

releasing the three dimensional antenna to secure the three dimensional antenna to the mounting surface of the PCB; and

soldering the first end of the three dimensional antenna to the PCB.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising placing the PCB into a bracket.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising encasing the three dimensional antenna within a plastic end cap that snaps into the bracket.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising encasing a portion of the PCB within a metallic shell, wherein the three dimensional antenna comprises a loop portion adjacent to the second end of the three dimensional antenna and oriented perpendicular to the mounting surface of the PCB,

wherein the loop portion is not encased within the metallic shell.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the antenna is a wire antenna.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising inserting particular vertical portions of the antenna into the one or more notches.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

after inserting the particular vertical portions of the antenna into the one or more notches, releasing the antenna,

wherein a spring force of the compressed antenna exerted against edges of the notches causes the antenna to be joined to the PCB.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising encasing a portion of the PCB within a metallic shell, wherein the three dimensional antenna comprises a loop portion adjacent to the second end of the three dimensional antenna and oriented perpendicular to the mounting surface of the PCB, wherein the loop portion is not encased within the metallic shell.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the antenna is a wire antenna.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising inserting particular vertical portions of the antenna into the one or more notches.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

after inserting the particular vertical portions of the antenna into the one or more notches, releasing the antenna,

wherein a spring force of the compressed antenna exerted against edges of the notches causes the antenna to be joined to the PCB.

8. A method for constructing a wireless communications apparatus in a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device, the method comprising:

laterally compressing a three dimensional antenna having a first end and a second end;

inserting the three dimensional antenna, while compressed, into one or more notches in one end of a printed circuit board (PCB), wherein the three dimensional antenna is attached in an orientation that is perpendicular to a mounting surface of the PCB;

releasing the three dimensional antenna, thereby causing the three dimensional antenna to decompress and provide a securing force to secure the three dimensional antenna to the mounting surface of the PCB; and

soldering the first end of the three dimensional antenna to the PCB.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising placing the PCB into a bracket.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising encasing the three dimensional antenna within a plastic end cap that snaps into the bracket.