Antenna and proximity sensor structures having printed circuit and dielectric carrier layers

• US 9,093,745 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2012
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Yarga, Salih, Shah, Nirali, Li, Qingxiang, Schlub, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Karacsony, Robert
• Application Number:
  US13/468,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20130300618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,174 Days
• Field of Search: 343/702, 343/720
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/245 with means for shaping the antenna pattern, e.g. in order to protect user against rf exposure
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• 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

An electronic device may have a conductive housing with an antenna window. A display cover layer may be mounted on the front face of the device. Antenna and proximity sensor structures may include a dielectric support structure with a notch. The antenna window may have a protruding portion that extends into the notch between the display cover layer and the antenna and proximity sensor structures. The antenna and proximity sensor structures may have an antenna feed that is coupled to a first conductive layer by a high pass circuit and capacitive proximity sensor circuitry that is coupled to the first conductive layer and a parallel second conductive layer by a low pass circuit. The first conductive layer may be formed from a metal coating on the support structure. The second conductive layer may be formed from patterned metal traces in a flexible printed circuit.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a display cover layer;

antenna and proximity sensor structures that include parallel first and second conductive layers on a dielectric support structure, wherein the dielectric support structure has a surface and a notch;

an antenna window structure that has a portion that extends into the notch between the display cover layer and the antenna and proximity sensor structures, wherein the first conductive layer comprises metal on the surface of the dielectric support structure; and

a flexible printed circuit substrate, wherein the second conductive layer comprises metal on the flexible printed circuit substrate.

2. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising a capacitive proximity sensor circuit that is coupled to the first and second conductive layers.

3. The electronic device defined in claim 2 further comprising:

a high-pass circuit; and

an antenna feed that is coupled to the antenna and proximity sensor structures by the high-pass circuit.

4. The electronic device defined in claim 3 wherein the display cover layer comprises a planar glass member, the electronic device further comprising a layer of opaque material interposed between a portion of the planar glass member and the antenna and proximity sensor structures.

5. The electronic device defined in claim 3 wherein the high-pass circuit comprises first and second capacitors, wherein the antenna feed has a first antenna feed terminal that is coupled to the first conductive layer by the first capacitor, and wherein the antenna feed has a second antenna feed terminal that is coupled to the first conductive layer by the second capacitor.

6. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising:

a capacitive proximity sensor circuit that is coupled to the first and second conductive layers by a low pass circuit;

an antenna feed having a first terminal that is coupled to the first conductive layer and having a second terminal that is coupled to the first conductive layer; and

a conductive housing in which the antenna window structure is mounted.

7. An electronic device, comprising:

antenna and proximity sensor structures that include parallel first and second conductive layers on a dielectric support structure, wherein the dielectric support structure has a notch, at least some of the first conductive layer overlaps the notch, the antenna and proximity sensor structures include an antenna feed configured to receive antenna signals, the dielectric support structure has a surface, and the first conductive layer comprises metal on the surface;

capacitive proximity sensor circuitry coupled to the antenna and proximity sensor structures;

a flexible printed circuit substrate, wherein the second conductive layer comprises metal on the flexible printed circuit substrate; and

an antenna window structure having a portion that extends into the notch.

8. The electronic device defined in claim 7 further comprising a high pass circuit coupled between the antenna feed and the first conductive layer.

9. The electronic device defined in claim 8 further comprising a low pass circuit coupled between the capacitive proximity sensor circuitry and the first and second conductive layers.

10. The electronic device defined in claim 7 further comprising:

a metal housing in which the antenna window structure is mounted.

11. The electronic device defined in claim 7 wherein the dielectric support structure is configured to be hollow.

12. The electronic device defined in claim 10 further comprising a camera, wherein the dielectric support structure has a recessed portion that is configured to accommodate the camera.